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

Of course it does! Not everyone is like you--!

[He cuts himself off, then much more carefully,]

What did you just call me?

Ah, sorry. Ou-xiong, I'm glad you're here.

[He fixed it! No problem!]

[...]

Don't look so proud of yourself! I already heard it! You...remembered? Since when!? You didn't know anything before! Was it--did the ceiling hit you on the head?

[Also he's...backing away a little.]

I didn't prepare for this...wait, I didn't-- [--mean to say that...oh no...] ...the truth serum!

[He'd almost forgotten!!!!]

[A look of confusion flashes across Chu Wenshan's face at that reaction, and then just...stays there. He might also look a little hurt? It's hard to tell, considering his default lack of expression, but!]

...That's right. The truth serum.

[Isn't Chu Wenshan supposed to be the one forgetting things here? Is it his brother's turn for amnesia!? Suddenly he looks even more worried than before!]

Do you have amnesia now too? Should we find another doctor?

[Ouyang Duyu has gotten weirdly good at reading Chu Wenshan's expressions lately. And maybe he's a little more sensitive to this particular expression since he'd seen it so recently when he'd been forced to confess both his identity and the fact that he hates Chu Wenshan. He's not ready to parse what he thinks it is, or what he feels about it.

So he doesn't.]

Why would I have amnesia all of a sudden!? I only got injected with truth serum not whatever they gave you to cause amnesia...I'm not sure it'd even work like that on me anyway since my energies aren't monstrous like yours are...which is completely unfair you know. Since it's at least partly your fault.

[He looks around as he just...word vomits all his deep insecurities. Is there something he can shove in his mouth? Something hygienic?]

The serum hasn't worn off yet?

[Wait, what's his fault? No nevermind that actually.]

Sorry. I'll be more careful next time.

[Careful about what? Protecting his brother, of course! You don't need monstrous energies when you've got a monstrous bodyguard! (and then this game turns him into a literal monster somehow.)]

Of course it hasn't.

[Why would it? He was literally stabbed just a moment ago! But then...but then...something niggled at the back of his mind.]

The next time you throw me off a cliff?

[He's annoyed, okay? And also kind of confused! Did Chu Wenshan mean he'd make sure Ouyang Duyu died next time? But then why apologize!

But also...but also...

Suddenly it clicked what was wrong. He stepped closer again, suddenly reaching for Chu Wenshan's wrist.]

You were having a qi deviation. [He needed to feel for a pulse because he had a suspicion.] When did you remember everything?

Why would I throw you off a cliff?

[Don't worry, if you fall off one in the future, he'll catch you!!11

Also he lets Ouyang Duyu take his wrist with no problem, even helpfully holding it out palm up for inspection.]

I got better. [In regards to the qi deviation.] And I remembered everything...around when you said you hated me.

How would I know? Probably for the same reason you threw me off the last one.

[He checks Chu Wenshan's pulse. Having checked this last time Chu Wenshan had a bad qi deviation he knows what it should feel like. This isn't it. This is beyond, 'I got better' this felt a lot better than last time.]

...and how long ago was that?

That makes sense.

[The safety cliff! Of course! Also he's thinking pretty hard here.]

......About a month ago? I haven't paid attention to the calendar lately.

...of course it does...for you anyway.

[He lets go because he's confirmed what he needed to...and because he's actually kind of mad. He needs to get his expression under control. He's blurting out everything right now but he can have this.]

A month ago...then why are you still here? You have what you wanted. You have your memories back.

[That's the only reason he'd been so desperate to find his brother.]

[But why is Wuyou mad...he recognizes that facial expression! He doesn't like it! He thought they were over this!?]

Why...would I leave? I wanted my brother, and now you're here.

[What do you mean, there was a step two??]

[He's surprised by Chu Wenshan's surprise! He's it doesn't help make him less mad.]

You didn't even like me growing up! And when I thought things were maybe going to go better you pushed me off a cliff! Shouldn't the question be 'why would you stay'? You only wanted to find me because you thought I'd be able to help you get your memories back, right?

[????????]

I always liked you though, just seeing you always made me happy. And I pushed you off the cliff to save you....I thought we discussed this already?

[He reaches out a hand! To check Wuyou's forehead! There is absolutely no way checking for a fever would help anything in this moment!]

No, we didn't! At least...I didn't. I don't think we're from the same time. I don't want to say it outloud because it's crazy. [But Truth Serum-ING, you know?]

I just got injected with the truth serum right before I got here. It wasn't a month ago for me.

[The hand on his forehead did nothing because he's not running a fever but it doesn't make him angrier because it does remind him of the times Chu Wenshan had taken care of him when he was sick. He does turn his head away though, his cheeks flushed.]

Stop that.

[No fever, but flushed cheeks!?]

You're definitely sick, your face is red. Even if you're from the past, we should still get you to a doctor.

[He reaches for his hand! But doesn't actually take it because past Wuyou is back to hating him possibly? So now he's just kinda hovering awkwardly....]

I am a doctor.

[He couldn't help it: his heart skipped a beat when Chu Wenshan reached for his hand, the confession that Chu Wenshan always liked him reverberated in his mind.

Chu Wenshan wasn't a liar: he's not smart enough to do that. So everything Chu Wenshan is true......it's just also incomprehensible.

Still, he doesn't take that hand.]

What do you mean you were trying to save me? What even happened?

Ah, right.

[With everything going on, he forgot that little detail...

Also reluctantly retracting his hand. For now! Though he's still definitely leaning closer than he was earlier while he (re-)explains things.]

When our compound was attacked, I found you hanging off that cliff. I knew it was safe down there, so I shattered the pendant for good luck and sent you down.

[Why are you so close!? How is Chu Wenshan so often blind to the concept of personal space?]

How is this at least your second time explaining this and it still sounds stupid? [But at least it makes sense? Sort of?] You said the compound was attacked. [Now he moves closer, his hands grabbing Chu Wenshan's robes at the front.] Attacked by who? Wasn't it...wasn't it you?

[He couldn't stop the hope in his heart. He wanted to stop it, but...but there were so many questions that he'd formed since leaving Leafless Valley for the Red Moon Sect. He wouldn't have jumped to this conclusion so easily but again, Chu Wenshan didn't lie and he was even worse at subterfuge.

If he said 'our compound was attacked' as if he had nothing to do with it then...then--]

[If Chu Wenshan was already invading his personal space and he just pulled closer, does that mean—]

I threw you off the cliff, but the rest was apparently An Ze and his men. [He remembers facts!] Don't worry though, they've all been defeated.

[--does that mean if Ouyang Duyu lowered his head and leaned in just a little more his forhead would be touching Chu Wenshan's shoulder? Yes, yes it does.

There's a faint tremble in his body.

The truth seemed unbelievable because it would have meant someone close to their age had dressed up as Chu Wenshan and did the attack. Except it fell into place so easily, explaining every inconsistency they'd discovered from the brothers in Red Moon Sect...it even explained some of the strange responses they got. Everything made sense of Jianan Pavilion was responsible. And, at any rate, didn't their enemy have someone capable of changing their face?

This was--]

You never betrayed the Chu family. [The words felt like a relief to say, as if this more than even being tossed off a cliff was what weighed on him heaviest. He was smiling like an idiot and tears stung at his eyes.] I'm so glad...I'm so glad it wasn't you.

[Please touch Chu Wenshan's shoulder...the sense of dejavu he's getting from this conversation is counteracted by the fact that his brother(!) is smiling like an idiot this close to his face and it's...it's actually kinda distracting?

So there's a bit of a delay before he finally responds with,] I'd never betray you.

I mean Chu.

...Can I hug you.

[He didn't really pay attention to the delay. The smile had faded a bit and he was muttering to himself angrily.]

I know they're defeated but I still won't let them off easily. How dare they do this? Because of them--

[But before he could finish that thought Chu Wenshan spoke and, uh.

He blushes. Then he turns his head away because. Uh. Of course he misspoke! Of course!

Of course.

But uh. That last request was...

He thought of the way Chu Wenshan called him so familiarly earlier.]

...do we have the kind of relationship where we're hugging now? [He's mostly just talking to himself. Or rather, he'd rather not say it at all but: Truth Serum-ING]

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