etrayalogs | November Mingle

November Mingle

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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“So like an engineer barbarian?” Jason guesses. He hasn’t heard of anything like that but with a multiverse involved, anything is possible.

Jason? Jason??? Gorgug's eyes are getting so wide. So...hopeful?

"Barbarian artificer," he corrects. But! "But-- I'm a battlesmith? I make and repair?"

He's looking at Jason expectantly, hoping he understands these words.

"Sounds pretty useful," Jason says, still showing genuine interest in Gorgug. "That explains all the work you did on our car. You got a specialty or you're like a jack-of-all-trades repair guy?"

...well, it's not confirmation that he knows what any of that means, but the fact Jason figured out he was a barbarian without Gorgug state it makes him feel more comfortable than he usually does.

"Jack-of-all, I guess," he answers then, comfortable, but still slightly worried that he might explain himself poorly. "I learn how most equipment gets put together, how machines run and how to make them, too. But I also get to learn how to protect my teammates. You know... I can make shit, and it helps people."

And for his awkward, tone, there's a lowkey giddiness in admitting that: he likes what he can do with his talents.

"It feels really good when you make something, and you see it work in action. I like that. Like adding the missiles to the car, and getting it to work in the first place."

That's very cool.

Jason laughs as he again, thinks back on the race.

"That was perfect," he says. "And hell yeah you should be proud. Drivers might get a lot of glory but it's the gearheads who actually make sure shit works."

"Are you going to fix up your bike?" Speaking of gearheads, Jason! Also, don't blink, but maybe you've got Gorgug smiling now. "Any shields? Any weapons?"

Imagine, Jason!

Jason is all too happy to share Gorgug's enthusiasm as that's what he's genuinely feeling for himself too in the newest project.

"Been thinking about what can be done. I'm open to suggestions," He replies, grinning back. "Obviously they can't be on the same scale as the car but I don't see why it shouldn't have some stuff like shields and something for offense."

Offense and shielding, check. But if he were to give suggestions...

"What kind of rider are you normally? How do you think you'll be using it? It has to fit your style," Gorgug reasons.

And does Jason already have an idea of what that is?

At that, Jason takes a moment to think. Etraya isn't like Gotham so the stuff he would normally love on a bike might not be as useful as long as he's in Etraya. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for all kinds of scenarios.

"Let's just say you're not the only who has experience with chases," he admits. "Not that I think that's gonna happen every day here but it wouldn't hurt if the bike's got plenty of maneuverability and durability. I've launched myself off of ramps before because I had to make an emergency shortcut."

So speed, manoeuvrability, and durability, is what Gorgug is hearing. He's reminded of Jason's athleticism, too--which might not count much, but every little detail makes a perfect tool for the wielder.

"We haven't had any missions where vehicles would have helped," Gorgug thinks out-loud, but nevertheless, "but riding fast, and getting anyway-- I think I'd want good tyres, and maybe have the missiles in the back, too. Maybe something homing, to throw off anything chasing me. And something to quiet the engine, if you plan to sneak. Extra bounce."

He's nodding, maybe saying words in a way that don't make complete sense to Jason, but he's then he's looking at Jason as he nods.

"If Etraya goes crazy and the forests turn into labyrinths again, you could--" he makes a speeding motion with a hand, "--get outta there. Before the horrors get you."

Jason grins when Gorgug suggests quieting the engine. Little does the half-orc realize how appropriate it is for Jason (or anyone in the Bat-Family) to have a bike to have somewhat of a stealth feature. Maybe they can build something close to what he has at home after all. Jason also likes Gorgug's other suggestions.

"If any of those are possible to build here, then let's go for it," he happily says. Gorgug's comment about the forest also gets his attention. "What horrors?"

He hasn't forgotten the hell he went through for wandering around in the hospital back in October.

"The forests turned into labyrinths and spooky shit happened inside. It was a whole thing during the last mission-- I don't know if Aurora was supposed to do that, or if the Im'mari did it," Gorgug explains.

"I don't know how long it lasted... a lot was going on that wasn't supposed to. But, there was a labyrinth before, too. So Aurora could really like labyrinths."

Not that he even knows enough about the first labyrinth to say.

"Im'mari?" Jason ask, curious. After his unfortunate and traumatizing visit to the hospital, Jason took some time to recover. It was hard to investigate more of Etraya's mysteries while struggling against being reminded once again of his most traumatic moment.

"What did the labyrinths lead to?"

Oh, huh. Gorgug realises he's not sure when Jason arrived, and that explains the questions. Still, he'll answer first.

"Just outside-- you couldn't get from one place or another. Everywhere was blocked off by the forest labyrinths." A pause, and Gorgug asks, "When did you show up? How much do you know about...the last couple of missions?"

Clearly, he's not including their racing mission in this question.

Jason furrows his brow. His first month in Etraya was not pleasant to say the least.

"End of September. Not long after that I got more than I wanted when I was exploring the hospital," He replies, trying to not think too graphically about the literal nightmare he had gone through in there.

Gorgug slowly nods, a grimace starting to form on his face at even thinking about back then--at his own memories of the hospital, though they're foggy in places, and he's not sure that he had similar experiences to Jason.

"Well... we were... supposed to have a mission in October," Gorgug starts to explain. "Except Aurora got infected, and...something had followed us in from the last mission before that. And I guess-- it got to Aurora, and then it-- I think it got inside the mission planning. I'm not sure of the details, but we... some of us got infected, too. It was, um-- it was actually a mission on facing our fears. But the Im'mari also fed off fears, so..."

Gorgug's a little bumbling, and he's not looking at Jason; an easy excuse being because he's trying to concentrate, to remember the details, his brows meeting where they knit together.

"Some of us...tried making that worse. You know, we-- set up traps. Made it easy to see and hear things you didn't want to." He's fiddling with his fingers, hands resting on his lap. "We think it's gone... at least, gone from here."

Jason patiently listens to Gorgug and can tell that whatever Gorgug had experienced was... unpleasant to say the least.

"Feeding off of fears would explain some things. I was hallucinating some pretty bad stuff there," he says. "I'm okay now but there was pretty personal stuff I was getting shown."

"That's what happened," Gorgug explains. "You got shown your worst moments, or-- anything that could set you off. I'm sorry you went through that," he adds after a beat. "The mission was worse than it was supposed to be, but I think... they mess with your head, sometimes. They're kinda all over the place."

To say the least.

“The memories of it got a nasty way of staying in your head for a while too,” Jason scowls.

He then looks back at Gorgug.

“After all that, you okay?”

Jason’s sympathetic to anyone who had who go through trauma like that. It has a way messing with one’s head for a while.

He pinches at the threads of his jeans, slow to answer, but-

"...working on the car with you guys helped," he answers, eventually. "I think I'm just looking for something to do with myself. So I don't think about it."

It's easier to get over something if it's not always on your mind, right? He looks at Jason, though glancing at him more than keeping his gaze on him.

"I think my friends could do with a distraction, too--my friends from home."

Jason nods as he listens. Distractions are coping mechanisms he’s well familiar with.

“Heh. Yeah, the car building and race were great for me too. Gave me something to focus on that wasn’t that… stuff,” he says. “Helped that I was already a gearhead.”

He thinks as he looks at his tea. God he misses his family.

“What do you and your friends normally do for fun?”

"Well... Riz, he likes investigating." Which may be an odd thing to share when it comes to an activity someone does for fun (or perhaps not to someone like Jason). "He sets up whiteboards and has notes and notes on anything going on. And he likes to stay busy-- so I guess you could say...working is his fun."

And that person would be right.

"Fabian, he-- he likes to dance. And spar, and play bloodrush. And we, um... I guess, together, we get drunk if we wanna do something fun," Gorgug figures, trying to really think about this as he talks. "Or we, we skip rocks on rivers? We got pretty good at it, last time we did it. I got eight skips, last time."

...they really know how to have fun, see.

Nothing about what Gorgug says is strange to Jason. The part about investigating for fun is especially relatable to him, given what his entire family does. So Jason takes it all in stride as he sips some more tea.

"Sounds nice. My family's full of workaholics and puzzle lovers so working for fun is something I got used to seeing," He says. "Maybe a fun project like what we did with the car might be a good distraction for them too."

"Yeah?" So Gorgug says, but he's...taking the time to think. A fun project like the car? Obviously not building a car, since Riz and Fabian made it a point to do jack and shit during that mission, and Gorgug doubts they would want to make a car with him.

So--investigating? Which is a sort of default with their group (currently lacking three people), but Gorgug doesn't know what they could investigate, and he and Fabian are rather...lacking in that department, even though Riz would have fun.

There's a definite twitching of eyebrows, narrowing of eyes as Gorgug is sitting here trying to turn the cogs in his head.

"Something that's...smart...but fun..." Hmm.... this is pretty hard, considering they can't even decide what to do normally together, so Gorgug looks back at Jason with a quizzical squint of his eyes.

"...what kind of stuff does your family do? Or you, for fun? With other people?"

They can't even go to an ice cream parlour, there isn't one!

Jason thinks about how to word his answer. There's a lot he could say but probably shouldn't, like how almost all of the Waynes have secret vigilante identities and go out every night fighting crime.

"Me? Well, you already know I like racing and messing with vehicles," he says. "The others are sorta all over the place. Cass likes dancing. Tim and my dad are workaholics like your friend Riz. Dick and Damian both have pets they love to take care."

Jason sips on some more tea and thinks again.

"When a bunch of us are together, we sometimes work out. See who can do the most one-handed push-ups and stuff like that."

Yup. The Wayne household is absolutely normal and has a normal level of competitiveness amongst its members.

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