November Mingle

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: November 22nd - Early December
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, and an unexpected guest!
NOTES\WARNINGS: N/A, please note any needed warnings in threads.

⏵ arrival ⏴ Welcome to Etraya! Arrival goes as expected - or it would, except it is not just Aurora that greets the newcomers as they arrive. Certainly they receive their earpiece so they can communicate with one another as those before them have, however there is what seems to be a woman waiting for them that is of a more flesh and blood persuasion as they leave the hospital. She carries an air about her that isn't quite like the newcomers themselves, but she is decidedly not one of the companion bots, nor Aurora. She has bone-straight blonde hair reaching past her shoulders, with a straight-cut fringe hanging above her eyes. The black dress that ends just before her mid-thighs also has a rather revealing neckline, though the sleeves which cover her arms almost feel like a mockery of modesty considering the rest. She is also wearing black stockings and black pumps, and the red of her lipstick is striking against the extreme contrast in shades she otherwise holds. As each newcomer independently files out of the hospital, she makes certain to garner their individual attention, either with a wave of her hand, a wiggle of her fingers, or directly calling them over. She is persistent, and with being so new, it is wise to heed her. Not that anyone can force one to, if they choose to walk away, nor does she seem interested in trying to, but she has her means for those proving stubborn. However, those who aren't... “Hey! I know you’re not just walking past me. I’ve got- you know, plot relevant, written all over me. I picked this dress out just for you, you know?’ “C’mere, listen up. Mama’s got a little bit of homework for you, but it’s gonna help you, too, okay? I need you to go find the hot goss, the piping hot tea on the street for me. Find out what everyone’s saying about the people we’re stuck with, okay? People are a lot more relaxed and honest when they talk about others, right? This is about efficiency. Efficiency, honey. Don’t worry, I’ll be in the trenches, too. But make sure you come find me again. I’ll be around here, okay? I know you’re as confused as I am. Well no. I’m much less confused than you are. But if you can tell me about the people here, I’ll tell you more about where you are and what this is about.” For those who ignored her, or those not newly arrived, they will receive a message through their earpiece: “Girl. Hey. Listen. I’m kind of in a pinch, okay? I need like… a little favor. But its a fun favor! I need you to get your girl some info. I need the word on the street, honey. I need the tea piping hot- I need you to go talk to your friends, enemies, frenemies, butt buddies, cousins, and have them tell you about anyone they know. I need straight facts and good gossip on everyone here. And then get back to me. Kisses. And this isn’t something for nothing. If you bring me some good goss, you’ll get some good info in turn about your whole situation. Cause that’s what you’re missing most besides home, right? Context.” ⏵ spill the tea ⏴ Tatianna having now tasked everyone (new and old) with finding out more about their fellow inhabitants—if not for their sake, for her curiosity—and in exchange she will give them valuable information that may aid them with acclimating here, or something far more valuable depending on how hot the goss is! However, she will not just hand out her secrets so easily, and so she will need one piece of gossip about each inhabitant. So she expects everyone to get mingling and talking, she isn't a charity here! To assist in this, the companion bots have set up cozy little wicker daybeds around the main hub of the city. All of which are suspiciously cozy and warm once you have sat down on them, but especially so with the accompanying aroma of the tea wafting from the kettle which rests on the center table, accompanied by sweetmeats. The tea itself also stays warm despite the cool autumn air, and so long as you stay within the daybeds, the biting chill won't reach you either. However, the tea is not only perpetually the right temperature, but it seems to have a way of loosening one's tongue. Especially the more one imbibes it. Did you mean to share that secret that might not have been yours to begin with? Or that personal detail about your best friend that wasn't meant to be known by anyone but who they themselves have told? Probably not, but the cat is out of the bag now, isn't it? Well, hopefully word won't get around...after all, it isn't likely who you are talking is going to tell everyone else, right? Right? Adding to the oddity of it all, the tea one drinks might not be the same tea that their companion is drinking, despite it pouring from the same kettle. What might be one person's earl grey, is another's pumpkin spice chai. Whatever it may be that pours out, it certainly seems to be to one's liking, or its closest approximation. There's probably some deeper meaning in that, some sort of symbolism one might surmise from the nature of sharing gossip and it being tainted by personal bias, but who cares about navel gazing about such a thing? After all, this is meant to be an enjoyable endeavor! Getting to know your fellow inhabitant should feel as comfortable as catching up with an old friend. What better way than to do it by sharing tea you both will enjoy? ☕ ⏵ close knit ⏴ As the tail end of November draws nearer, people will have already begun to see the first flakes of snow. It grows colder, and while there isn't quite a blizzard or a snow storm happening, the snow does not seem to let up with its descent. It doesn't quite get so cold that it is untenable, of course, but it would be advisable to bundle up! In fact, the companion bots seem to be on the case with assisting in just that! Around the city people will find groups of companion bots busily knitting sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, and so forth. In fact, the moment they see someone they clock as not quite bundled enough, they will insist on supplying them with whatever they deem as being without. Are you already wearing a scarf? Well, clearly you need two of them! How about the gloves? Couldn't hurt to have several pairs! However, that isn't all that's available to people, after all there are cafes out and about where one might get a hot beverage to help fight off the cold, but for those less inclined for such establishments, the companion bots are here to serve! There is at least one companion bot per knitting group that seems to have hot cocoa on hand. If they see someone who is looking particularly cold (almost everyone is, the companion bots aren't particularly keen on the signs of successful temperature regulation), they will have a paper cup of hot cocoa imposed upon them that has their name on the side. Or, sort of. It is at least a close approximation of their name, or maybe it is an alternate spelling? Really, who can blame the bots for getting confused, there are so many of you! ⏵ snow more games ⏴ The snow is here to stay, but that doesn't mean that it has to be a bad thing! With everyone well supplied in their winter garb, the companion bots have set up spots for fun activities! Perhaps the inhabitants would enjoy a fun snowball fight, or some sledding? Some of the waters have frozen over, so ice skating is always a possibility too. Though one might want to be careful if they are to venture past what the companion bots have marked as safe. Some of the companion bots are trying their best at making a snowman, but all their efforts seem to come out rather...square. They're trying their best, but maybe they can learn by following the inhabitant's examples. There are others that will offer gold star stickers to those who seem to dominate in the snowball fights, but unfortunately the stickers don't stick too well with all the snow. Well, they tried! People will still find bots out and about with nice warm beverages available to fight off the cold, too. That service will continue to be available for the foreseeable future. Similarly, if someone comes out who is a little too under-dressed for the weather, the bots might have to pick up those knitting needles again, so be sure to put on your winter clothes..! ⏵ NOTES ⏴ To report information to Tatianna, do so here! She will only give each person their rewarded information once she has a bit of information on each character in the game. Each bit of gossip does not require a thread to count though it should be IC knowledge gained through IC means. Try to check what gossip has been given to her already, because doubling up will not yield results! Good luck! 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

GASP.

[banworthy]

Yes, because I have too much I need to keep a secret.

[ His fingers are still around the cup that he's holding. He lifts his head before glancing back down at the tea. The response came a little too naturally, but he supposes that is true and maybe it can be laughed off -- if he hadn't been so startled by his own reply.

He's disturbed enough by what he's said that he doesn't immediately clock Castiel's voice. ]

But don't we all? [ Vincent shifts to a more playful tone. ]

☕ ✨

[messenger]

[ there's something... off, about that reply, isn't there? someone more experienced with face to face human communication might understand what that is, but castiel clocks it and lets it pass him by with only a moment of inspection. ]

I suppose that's true.

[ his gaze moves from Vincent to the chair he kicked out. he stares at it for several seconds before understanding dawns on his face, and he hesitates before awkwardly sitting. ]

What are you drinking?

[ he pulls over a cup and fills it. his ancient assam is a rich, earthy brown. he takes a drink. ]

☕🫖☕

[banworthy]

[ He makes a soft affirmative sound as he lightly taps his fingers against the side of the cup. Eventually, he gives a shake of his head as he decides that he just spoke a little too off the cuff. ]

Tea. It's black with some spice to it. [ Another little sip. ] Seems to be a spiced black tea. [ A shrug. ] Interesting flavor. Not something I normally would drink, if I'm honest.

[ And he feels like being it. ]

[messenger]

No?

[ his head tilts. how is it that aurora and her helper bots can do such impressive things, and yet the execution is always... a little lacking? ]

Mine is an assam cultivated 20,000 years ago. It's not something I would normally drink, either.

[banworthy]

No?

[ Vincent chimes back and tilts his head in the opposite direction. ]

Cultivated from -- what? Isn't that just a fancy way of saying that it was refined from that long ago?

[ He breathes out a peh sound. ] Not that time has any meaning anymore.

[messenger]

[ can he tilt his head any furthee? castiel looks like a bird, squinting there. ]

This strain went extinct that long ago. It shouldn't be here.

[ so, y'know. ]

Yes, you have a point.

[banworthy]

How odd.

[ A slow sip of his tea as he formulates his thoughts. ]

Still, it's more odd that you recognize the tea if that's true.

[ Hm. ] How do you know it?

[messenger]

I've been alive for a very long time, and this tea was used in various cermonies...

[ does he find the words coming easier than usual? he takes another drink of his tea, trying to let the taste linger. ]

That was the last time I drank it. I mostly drink malt whiskey, nowadays.

[banworthy]

I'm sorry.

[ Vincent sounds sincere in his apology, at least. ]

I don't think anyone should have to live so long.

[ A beat. ] You should watch that, though, or else you might spend your days here as a drunk.

[messenger]

[ he watches with contemplative eyes before inclining his head in acceptance. he might have a point with that, but there are things that still need doing, and he has to be the one to do them. ]

I was considering it.

[ is that a joke?

no, it's complete and utter honesty. a thin furrow bisects castiel's brow. did he mean to say that out loud? ]

[banworthy]

Spending your days as a drunk?

[ Vincent repeats himself. ]

Honestly, I am surprised more people aren't with the situation that we've found ourselves in. But I suppose there is something to be said about the indomitable spirit and all that, hm?

[ A small sigh. ] I am sorry that God's cursed you like this, though. Immortality is a curse while eternal life is a blessing. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Like how God could be either a deity or a devil.

[messenger]

[ that, yes. he tips his head. ]

It's easier not to think when you've been given a task. I would know.

[ that also leaves his mouth easier than he would like. his nose wrinkles and he glares down into his tea, but takes another sip anyway. both brows raise at the turn the conversation takes, though he doesn't seem offended.

except a moment later his eyes narrow. that familiar voice... ]

I'd never thought of it as a curse before... Now, though— Raphael told me he was... tired. Then again, he is much older.

[ much, much older. ]

Rumor has it the archangels were created even before the universe.

[banworthy]

Suppose it's nice to keep oneself busy...

[ Vincent fills his mouth with tea to avoid saying anything else. He stares down at the surface of the table, letting his eyes unfocus; his head tips up as he stares at the man's face.

The voice sounds familiar. ]

That's ... interesting. [ He flexes his fingers. ] Rumor [ As he takes that word from him. ] has it that mankind came before the divine. It's uncertain how long ago that was because back then, time had no meaning. No, rather than have no meaning ... time didn't exist yet.

[ His fingers tap against the teacup. ] But it isn't an uncommon belief... that archangels and the divine came first. It always seemed rather sad to think of it that way.

[ A longer pause. ] But it isn't a belief where you come from, hm? Since you spoke to an archangel.

[messenger]

[ castiel rests his cheek against his palm, watching vincent while he speaks. yes, he's almost certain this is the man he spoke to before, on the network. the topic of conversation and the familiar voice seem to confirm it.

his own voice being rather... unique, he imagines vincent will figure it out if he hasn't already. anyway, he seems, and is, genuinely interested in this topic of conversation and what the man has to say about it. ]

The divine came later?

[ castiel hums. ]

I took my orders from archangels and watched humans evolve from tiny lungfish crawling around in the mud. [ he blinks, ] Which sounds like an insult, but I think everyone was happier then.

[banworthy]

[ He is surprised an argument isn't coming. There is a recognition that seems to come over both their faces - recognizing each other's voices and the topic. They've circled back to it, but it is a far more conversational tone.

Propping his elbow on the table, he gestures with it as he speaks. ]

That's right. It sounds egotistical, but I promise it isn't like that, at all. [ He waves his hand. ] Some would believe because humans made God that means God must be subservient, but that's foolish thinking. Blasphemous, even.

[ A brief smile. ] I'd imagine that they would be. I certainly didn't enjoy what society created. Just rat race after rat race with no peace of mind in sight.

[messenger]

[ castiel is a little bit sensitive to insults or perceived insults. but there's no doubt that their worlds all differ in both reality and conception. he can't get upset over that. ]

Did you make God because you needed him?

[ castiel shifts his tea cup back and forth with his other hand, watching his cup continue to steam. ]

It wasn't always like that, though. And things could change.

Not that it's any of my business, really.

[banworthy]

Her, and yes. [ He breathes in and lets out a sigh. ] We couldn't find a way to save ourselves from ourselves. Furthermore, we knew the concept of happiness but never experienced it, so asked for salvation.

[ To ask so much of what they created, how could they demand subservience as well? ]

Don't worry. I don't think there's anything left of my world.

[ His eyes widen; a fear and concern that he's had since he heard what occurred with Heather after his untimely end. ]

Your God may have given up on your world, but you're still here... so I assume you have not... that may be enough to give hope to someone! And if they must die horribly, why not die with some hope that they will not? Hm?

[messenger]

Did you get it?

[ salvation? happiness? ]

What happened—?

[ he picks up and finishes his cup of tea, then pours himself another. ]

I haven't given up. Yet. A part of me wants to. It would be... easier.

[ and it's getting easier to admit these things, even though he's sure now: this urge to tell the truth isn't natural. ]

1/2

[banworthy]

We were given the chance for it.

[ He cocks his head to the side as he offers a smile. ]

Which is more than we were able to experience before. [ Breathing in, he rolls the teacup in his hands. ] God gave us death, time, and Hell. [ He pulls his hand away from the cup to flick his fingers out as he ticks off what was gifted to them. ]

When humanity asked for salvation, they meant from their current strife. She didn't want a temporary solution, so forced upon us a permanent solution. However, she didn't just offer a stick with no carrot. She also promised Paradise, too, but burned through her mortal vessel before she could do more.

[ His shoulders give a small shrug. ] However, she promised that she would come back to fulfill her covenant with us. So, because she couldn't give Paradise on earth, she would accept the souls of the faithful to her side and watch over them until her return.

[banworthy]

Well, don't.

[ He chimes after his sermon. ]

I realize I have it easy, but you really shouldn't give up. You've lost your faith and death is looming as soon as you return. But if you completely give up, well, what would you have left to say is worthwhile?

[ This is a pep talk. ]

[messenger]

[ he listens intently to the story he's told, chin resting back on his palm, leaned forward, his spine straight with interest. ]

... I see. In a way, it's not so different from our own situation. Though paradise on earth just means the apocalypse and everyone dead. I suppose paradise just isn't easy to come by.

[ he sighs. well, don't, doesn't particularly impress him. he wants to argue that it makes no difference. as long as he does what needs to be done, does his state of mind matter?

but then vincent continues, and he feels compelled to answer despite himself. ]

People are. My friends— My friends are. I don't care about me, but I don't want them to die.

[banworthy]

It wouldn't be considered paradise if it was.

[ His lips curl into a slight smile. A little joke, but he hears the truth in it. Happiness, as he's come to understand it, isn't something easily obtained. ]

Isn't that a little disingenuous to your friends? [ A beat. ] I think they'd rather you also care about yourself rather than just not want them to die.

[ He closes his eyes as he shrugs his shoulders lazily. His heckles aren't rising because he doesn't feel like he's being treated like a lunatic; he still feels an unease in his stomach for saying so much, but at least he isn't thought of as a madman. ]

I am a priest and while I can't maintain any positive relationship, I do care about people. [ Vincent makes a noise in the back of his throat. He rather not admit that much about himself, but he presses on - and gets a little snippy because of his honesty. ] And you are, unfortunately, a person, Castiel.

So, I care about your miserable life, as well.

[messenger]

[ he make a sound in acquiescence. he thinks vincent is probably right.

about his friends, though... his gaze grow distant. his eyes jump in vincent's direction when he gets short, but he doesn't snap back this time, mollified by his own self-hatred. sometimes it pushes him in one direction or the other. ]

It is unfortunate.

They probably don't want me to die, but it's happened before. They're brothers, you see, and very close. So while they may care for me, I'm not nearly as important to them as they are to one another. I'm also an angel. A human's life should naturally take precedence over my own.

[ he considers all that he just said, and whether he would have said it under normal circumstances, before pressing on: ]

The Dean who exists here, in this place, comes from a future where I'm still alive. I was thinking about baking him a pie...

[ hm. no, he definitely didn't mean to add that. ]

What do you mean, you can't maintain positive relationships?

[ /smooth ]

[banworthy]

As I keep saying, resurrection is not a gift.

[ He shakes his head at the fact that Castiel has been brought back to life. How unfortunate; it really does seem like his father doesn't care for him. ]

"Should naturally?" Isn't all that just you trying to rationalize that you're not needed? That you won't be missed or forgotten? I don't intend to speak for them, but if I had a friend who believed I wouldn't care if they died so long as I had someone else, I'd be a little sad. I think. Who knows?

[ He lifts one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. ]

... can you bake?

[ Squints. ]

I mean, I can't. I'm well aware of my faults but just because a person knows what is wrong with their personality doesn't mean that they can change what's a fundamental part of who they are. [ He holds his hands up. ] When I try to fix them, people get more uneasy around me, anyway. So, it's best to just "get along" with people rather than worry about friendships.

[messenger]

[ he breathes hard out his nose in a sound that's almost a laugh, mouth twisting into a brief, wry smile. it's probably not a gift. he doesn't know why god brought him back or why he put sam and dean on that plane. if it was meant to be a mercy or if it was merely curiosity. he knows all this was set into motion long ago.

perhaps he was only shuffling the pieces into place for the grand finale. ]

I've never tried before. But there are books with instructions...

[ castiel gives a nod, a simple incline of his head, after hearing vincent's full answer. he considers his own words while lifting his cup to his mouth. he speaks again once he's set it down. ]

Maybe I'm not capable of changing, either. I'm not... aware of my faults. I used to be a good soldier. One who always followed orders. I was firm in my faith and prided myself in it. And now I have nothing. I don't know who I am.

[ his fingers tighten around his teacup. too tight, and naturally the delicate porcelain breaks, spilling tea between his fingers to puddle on the table. ]