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

[decodex]

Cat. Four legs to start. No tendrils.

...You're not possessing a cat?

( he will not wear it in pride, but he won't throw it away, either. venom would wear it, so eddie's holding it for venom. )

[definecat]

I'm not possessing anything. Everything you see is me.

[Of course saying that with whipped cream on their nose is probably not the most dignified they've ever looked.]

Not all of us need hosts. It's harder without but there are benefits. I am the true liquid cat.

[decodex]

( please don't mind him fiddling with his earpiece, tapping at the air, doing his best to take a photo of his adorable cat child decked out in knits with a spot of whipped cream on their nose.

he's so distracted by this, he nearly misses was sleeper says next. )

Some of you need hosts. Some of you don't. That... No, I don't think that works. Without a host, you're just... goo. Amorphous goo.

I've seen it.

I mean, you're still you, obviously. But you're... V, can you really keep a shape without me?

WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
LIKE HUMANS.

SOME HUMANS HAVE HAIR.
SOME HUMANS ARE NAKED ALL OVER.
LIKE HOWIE MANDEL.

Yeah, but that's just cosmetic. All humans have bones. And I'm pretty sure Howie Mandel has hair... just because it's not on his head doesn't mean it's not like on his arms and his legs and stuff.

SEEING IS BELIEVING, EDDIE.

Don't need to see Howie Mandel's legs, thanks.

( sorry, sleeper. they go on tangents like this often— )

[definecat]

[Sleeper is amused by the interplay, and clearly also not unused to the experience. They consider showing that they are just goo, but that probably wouldn't work with all the knitted things the bots have piled on them.]

Hosts are...convenient. I've had hosts before, but I've found this form more comfortable for the family. My parent did a dog for a while, although Venom prefers having a partner to being alone.

[They shrug, continuing to lap at the cocoa as they consider the differences. As the amount in the cup lowers, they have to stretch their tongue to unnatural lengths to reach, but it probably won't bother Eddie. He's probably seen, and possibly eaten worse.]

I also would prefer not to see Howie Mandel's legs. I would much prefer to see you in that hat.

[decodex]

Hosts are a choice? You didn't tell me hosts were a choice, man.

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.
YOU KNOW THIS.

ONCE YOU'VE TASTED THIS POWER,
TELL ME YOU'D LIKE TO RETURN TO BEING WEAK
AND ORDINARY.

I'VE SEEN YOUR HEART.
I KNOW THE TRUTH.

( ...no need to get into eddie's codependency here. if caught between a hat and a conversation about how much he's come to need venom, he's taking the hat. )

You've got Howie Mandel in your world? Good to know.

( it's pretty useless knowledge, actually, but nice to know there's overlap. )

I'll wear the hat later. Tell me what you do around here. What is there to do? No one seems to be in a hurry to leave.

( which he can't say he likes. how is eddie the only one freaking out here? )

[definecat]

I consider it a public service to spread my attention to all my admirers. And accept appropriate offerings.

And a world without Deal or No Deal would just be a sad place unworthy of saving.

[decodex]

( eddie considers his hot cocoa, then lowers it to offer sleeper a sip. )

That's it? You just strut around and soak in compliments? No big escape plans to get back to your Eddie? And your brother?

[definecat]

You don't want to drink that?

[They'll enjoy the whipped cream and sigh at mediocre chocolate.]

See, I know there are others who are there to help. And, well, I'm sure that if I were truly needed, they'd break time and space to get me back. So why not enjoy the ambience? There's a great bookstore. And people who appreciate the classics.

[They care about getting back, but since there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to do so, they aren't about to waste energy chasing wild geese. It's only fun if you catch them.]

[decodex]

You're our kid; we can share.

( this doting dad generosity will wear off once the novelty of being a dad wears off. then, it's gonna be eddie chugging all his cocoa in one go and leaving poor sleeper to order them more. )

So... you're just chilling? Hanging out? Unbothered?

[definecat]

I don't see why panicking will get me home any faster.

[They start to go to wash their face, then remember about the booties, and snarl at them and the bots who dared to do this to them.]

[decodex]

( eddie takes, like, a million more photos with his earpiece camera. )

Smile, buddy!

[definecat]

[If he wants teeth, it's teeth he gets, and there's no doubting now that Sleeper is related to Venom with the set of oversized and overcrowded chompers Eddie is now looking at.]

If you share any of those, I'm going to find my revenge. And leave it in your shoes.

[decodex]

( does eddie flinch? yes. does he also feel a surge of pride from venom warming up his insides? also yes. )

We barely have shoes, man. Think I'd prefer to keep the ones I have nice and empty...

( so, no posting cat pics, got it. )

You talk to Tatianna yet?

[definecat]

The bots will probably help you with that, although you've seen how eclectic their taste for style is.

[They consider the question, mentally flicking back though the interface on the earpiece they kept contained within their substance rather than on their exterior. It had taken some getting used to, but it functioned well enough.]

I haven't run into that gossipmonger in person, but she messaged the entire city, near as I can tell.

[decodex]

Well? What do you think?

( eddie thinks he's been here for two hours and nothing makes sense. he's open to all sorts of explanations. )

That sorta thing happen often? Trading secrets for info like we're... spies?

[definecat]

I don't know what to think. Tatiana is new to me, and I have no clue to her motives.

[Sleeper is not exactly worried about what might be spread about them. They're not really keeping secrets, other than maybe the extent of desire regarding certain dietary requirement.]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<s/small>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<b>I don't know what to think. Tatiana is new to me, and I have no clue to her motives.</b>

<small>[Sleeper is not exactly worried about what might be spread about them. They're not really keeping secrets, other than maybe the extent of desire regarding certain dietary requirement.]<s/small>

<b>Juicy gossip doesn't have to be harmful, does it?</b>

[decodex]

I think I'd have to say that all information has the potential to be harmful. Especially false information, which gossip usually is.

( sure, gossip sells, but at what cost? he's gotten to some lows in his journalism career, but never low enough to turn to writing for tabloids. that's a different kind of low. an ethical low.

but ethics don't play much into how he's feeling about this. )

As for her motives, we might be able to find out. Up for starting some rumors to see where the trail leads us?