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

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.

Edited 2024-11-24 01:41 (UTC)

[ 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 ]

Edited (wordingggg) 2024-11-24 20:55 (UTC)

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.

[ 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. ]

Ah, cookbooks, yes.

[ He flicks his index finger in his direction. Yes, it seems so long as that's followed there shouldn't be any issue. His tone of voice is a bit friendlier; the nastiness of his personality is obvious since he is at more ease around those who seem more lost than he is. ]

... hands up, Castiel.

[ Vincent throws his own hands up, with less urgency, to show him what he means. He intends to carefully pick up the pieces of broken porcelain and set them aside. Even clean up the tea. Interesting that it still is steaming, too. ]

Don't feel too bad. I don't know who I am, either. [ And he clicks his tongue. ]

[ that's the one. cookbooks. and then — hands up? looking confused, he raises both hands haltingly into the air. vincent might glimpse a cut or two where the porcelain pierced his skin, but they aren't bleeding. it's only when he realizes what vincent is going to do, or vincent moves to pick up the pieces, that castiel intervenes. ]

Wait.

[ there's no need for that.

castiel makes a gesture with his still raised hand, and a blink later, the cup is whole again, tea steaming away within it.

he places his hands on the table. ]

Perhaps I'm becoming more human than I thought.

That's handy.

[ He pulls his hands back and claps them together in a short applause. ]

Is that possible? To become human? If that's so, then well, your life immediately becomes quite important, right?

[ His shoulders bounce as he laughs at his joke. ]

[ he gives a smile that isn't a smile at all, though he wouldn't deny that he finds it funny too, in a way. ]

Mortal, yes. Human, no. I'll always be an angel.

[ he picks up his cup and takes a drink. still the same tea as before. ]

Unfortunate.

[ He breathes out a sigh. ]

If you could, it means you could also be saved. [ His hand lifts to wave dismissively. ] I'm not a lunatic that wants to offer salvation to everyone, by the by. But for someone who has done so much for their divine, it's sad to not be rewarded. [ It seems they've gotten quite close for him to word it that way. ]

Anyway, don't bring any of this up. [ But he feels he should give him something for listening to him lament and being unable to offer much help. ] Some gossip that you can give about me. [ He taps his finger on the surface of the table. ] Something that no one knows, hm?

[ What if it's broadcasted? ] I gave up all my worldly possessions and wealth and donated it to my congregation. How's that?

[ funny, but — whether vincent realizes it or not, he's struck rather close to the truth. there really is no paradise for angels. unlike humans, they cease to exist when they die. but castiel he lets him speak rather than interjecting, raising both eyebrows high at the admission, before quirking one wryly in the face of their given task. (it may be gossip clearly meant to flatter vincent, but it makes him curious regardless. or maybe he's taking that at face value...?) ]

I don't know that I'll be telling her anything, but I'll keep that in mind.

What is your denomination?

[ it's the sort of thing it seems like he should know. ]

No problem. I'm planning on giving her some information 'cause there's some things that I want to know.

[ He lightly taps the the table with his index finger, like he's pointing something out. ] What do you want me to tell her? How about Castiel is getting into baking? How's that one?

[ Look, see? He's on his side. ]

The Order. It's what we call ourselves, anyway.

Do you think she'll really give us good information?

[ he looks a little uneasy when vincent brings up the baking again. but it's an innocent enough piece of "hot goss". ]

Yes. That's fine.

[ he'd rather talk about— ]

And how did you become a priest?

Uncertain, but I'm mostly curious about the passage of time.

[ He tilts his head at Castiel. ]

Unless you know something?

[ And he nods along. ]

I donated all my worldly goods and wealth to the Order.

The passage of time?

[ please elaborate. he's curious. ]

About time, or the rumors?

[ that's not exactly what he expected to hear. vincent seems so devoted, he would have expected him to be consecrated. maybe he was? ]

You didn't go through ordination?

Yes, about time.

[ He'll explain! ]

Take for example, the Dean that you know. Is time still progressing in our universe? If it is, when you both return, will the world be lost? Or are they able to return to the time that you were taken? Or, even better, send you to a time before you arrived to fix any nasty mistakes that have occurred?

[ Sure, saving the universe is nice, but it'd be equally nice to be able to fix some problems that needlessly occurred. He can't do anything about Claudia but maybe he can do something to prevent other tragedies from happening. ]

And yes, I did go through it, but I skipped to the step where I was recognized. [ His shoulders bounce. ] It may sound like a small thing, but I gave them quite a large sum of money.

[ He wasn't just some loser who gave up the bare minimum, okay! ] You see, I worked myself to the bone and amassed enough of a fortune to be able to retire in my twenties. [ He tips his chin up, proud of this fact and the one that follows: ] So, they recognized my devotion and ordained me as a priest per my request.

[ hmmm. ]

The way I see it, there are two possibilities. Either each every one of us are from a separate branch timeline, even if we arrive from the same world and seem to be from the same timeline. Or they're capable of returning us at exactly the moment of our extraction. Otherwise, I would have been absent in Dean's world for several years.

[ there are other niche options, but he feels these two are most likely. ]

That's impressive.

[ he sounds a little confused, but he isn't being sarcastic or anything. he just doesn't really understand the significance of 'retiring in your twenties'. he'll take it at vincent's word. ]

You know, changing the past isn't a panacea. If you did succeed, it'd produce a new, separate branch rather than repair your present. Time is... malleable, but contradictions produce mathematical fallacies and aren't viable.

So, if everything is a separate timeline, it doesn't necessarily mean things will play out as they did.

[ He holds his chin. That would change things. If time is still progressing, he would want to find a way to lose so his dimension would fall. But if that's not the case, there's no reason to purposely lose. ]

Guess we won't know what to do until we figure out those answers.

[ Vincent tips his chin up, pleased at the praise. It is impressive! It's nice that the elders of the Order realized as much, but he only got criticized for it by Claudia. He turns his head and clicks his tongue. ]

I don't necessarily need my present repaired, not completely. I just want to get in the way of a lunatic getting her way. Of course, it might mean I'll die sooner, but if a certain person can live... it might be worth it. [ In his petty little heart, he thinks that it would be the best ending. ]

[ castiel makes a sound of acquiescence, folding his hands on the table. yes, that exactly. on both counts. either way, all they have are theories. ]

I think I can understand that, too.

[ a look passes-across his face. bitterness. not aimed toward vincent. there are certainly a few people who he'd rather they not get their way. ]

Nice to know you're a petty bastard like me.

[ Vincent clicks his tongue. He hadn't meant to be that honest. ]

[ vincent has said worse to him; castiel shrugs.

he doesn't seem to particularly mind. ]

[ He breathes a little easier. ]

Anyway, are you going to make anything for Dean's sibling? Bake them anything?

[ A beat. ]

Actually, are they even here?

Sam's not here.

[ his mouth twists gently. he didn't mean to say his name. ]

There were two more of me, though they seem to have disappeared.

That's good, right?

[ His tone is much more gentle and understanding. ]

I'll ask you what you mean by two more of you, but --

[ Waves his hand and adds: ]

-- you're willing to give up your life for these siblings, but they'd probably give up yours to save each other if I'm understanding. Granted, I know what I said before, but why not take this opportunity to "boost your ranking?"

So that Dean would sacrifice Sam for you? [ He takes a sip of his tea. ] I think that'd do wonders for your self-esteem, as well.

[ castiel shifts, looking like he isn't sure exactly how to respond in the scant moments before vincent lays that on him. his eyes widen and his face goes blank. it feels like he should be offended by the implication, but it's so preposterous he can't muster any anger.

it's a few long, unreadable moments before he finds himself asking, ]

How—?

[ and then, cutting himself off: ]

I don't even think that would be possible.

I think that it is.

[ He bobs his head along as he muses over how to make such an insane suggestion a reality. Mostly because he hates the idea of being seen as a madman. ]

There's a level of affection that Dean has for you as a friend. This is elevated further by the fact that you're someone from his world. He doesn't have to tell you too much because you already know, and that gives him a sense of security, I'm sure.

[ Vincent decides to explain it like this since it seems like Castiel sometimes is both very worldly and incredibly naive. Yet the angel says that none of this is an act. ]

In short, I'm certain that he relies on you quite a bit. There are certain things you can only vent to someone who knows where you come from, after all. [ He crosses his legs as he thinks further on this line of thinking. ] Since he's involved in matters far beyond what humans should be, I believe there's a certain level of mental strain and instability that he has, as well. Unless he's a devout believer in something?

[ He holds his hand out for Castiel to know the answer to that one before he continues. ]

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