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

[banworthy]

Were you able to stop it, then?

[ Vincent dismissively waves his hand when Accelerator says he's atheist. His hand waves even sharper at the comment about not caring about sin. Whatever, WHATEVER. ]

Yes, exactly that... she deluded herself into thinking it was what the scripture told her. That couldn't be further from the truth. [ He lets out a sigh. ] Anyway, don't talk about this to anyone. If you need some gossip, how's this?

[ It's gossip about an inhabitant, huh? His eyes roll up as he thinks of something to say: ] Castiel and Samil are uncle and nephew. [ His shoulders give yet another bounce. ] Sound good for your turn-in?

[levelshift]

Yes.

[Thankfully, though in the end the situation had gotten dire. They barely scraped by.

Accelerator's mouth forms a thin line at the request to keep quiet. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, he isn't the kind of person to go around blabbing about other people. That whole gossip thing, though... he really wants more information on Etraya and Echo, if it's possible.

So, he's torn. His fingers curl a bit as he debates the offer, weighing up potential outcomes in order to calculate the one that best results in getting that information. As he does he considers what Vincent is offering up in place, having messaged someone using the username Castiel before. And the name Samil.........]

.... Samil is the guy who made that public message on Aurora's network about the note he got? The one from Lecter?

[banworthy]

Good.

[ He doesn't know the details of it, and it may be something to poke later, but he sees a sore subject when he sees one. It'll be something he could use to cruelly win an argument, but as of right now, the two of them are casual acquaintances.

Ammo is ammo, but getting along with people is getting along with them. ]

That's right. [ A beat. ] I'm telling you a lie, by the way. I don't want either one of them to come back to complain to me. Although, I wonder if they'll be able to tell I said anything. [ He hums thoughtfully. ] Anyway, that's my gossip for you.

[levelshift]

[A lie, huh? Since he doesn't know either people involved he doesn't know how realistic the lie is. Their names are vaguely religious, he supposes, so that's something.

More important than that --]

Is lying to a potential source of information a good idea? It seems risky.

[Yeah, he was planning on giving up some actual information. Now he's thinking that might've been a naive move. Anna Sprengel, as annoying as she was, had been right to call him out for how obvious his intentions in running the city were. He needs to get better at obfuscation, and this seems like it might be another situation where it's called for.]

[banworthy]

We're only asked to get gossip.

[ Again, his elbow is propped on the table. He lifts his cup with the opposite hand to take a sip -- only he comes up with nothing. It seems the last sip of before was the last sip.

Sitting back in his chair, he pours himself more tea. ]

Gossip is half-truths and rumors that people hear about others. [ Holding his hand out to him, he adds: ] How much truth do you think anyone's been telling you? Do you talk often about your lives back home? Or isn't everyone just living in the present?

[ A beat. ] Furthermore, aren't we all under the belief that we're supposed to be "good people?" Obviously, that isn't true given the meal that we ended up sharing at that one dinner. But what of it? The lies and manner in which people protect themselves will mean that no one will ever know anyone else.

[levelshift]

[Accelerator falls silent. His tea, only half-drunk, is still steaming. He ignores it, his gaze dropping down to his laptop's keyboard as he thinks.

Honestly, Vincent's argument reminds him of a similar one he had made months ago to a certain Level 0 who was in the middle of an identity crisis. He had told him that in an age where you can completely remake yourself on the internet, the truth isn't worth all that much. What matters is the here and now, and how you choose to define yourself in that instant.

Vincent isn't even wrong about the inherent assumption that everyone here is good. Accelerator has been vocal to some individuals that he isn't, but that's been in service of a very specific reason. He imagines most people - most people like Hannibal - would pretend to be good in order to fly under the radar, avoid drawing attention to themselves. This gossip person may be working under that assumption, everyone here is good, and not expecting anyone to outright lie.]

... You've got good points.

[It's tempting. It's really, really tempting.

He looks up, frowning.]

I'm not opposed to lying to her if we get information about this place, but we don't know by what metric she's defining 'gossip.' Her message had said something about facts, so she might be leaning more heavily on the truth part of half-truths. We also don't know if there's some way for her to tell if we're lying to her, or if are any consequences if we do.

We've got a hypothesis: 'The woman can't tell the difference between fake gossip and real gossip, so whatever we tell her will result in information about this place.' We've got an independent variable, the lie, and a dependent variable, her response. We just need to test it with a control variable.

[What a nerd.]

[banworthy]

[ He flicks his index finger in Accelerator's direction, gesturing that he appreciates being told that he is right. (Did he say that specifically? No. But Vincent takes the wins where he can get them.) ]

Hm, guess so - so here's the problem.

[ Lightly tapping his index fingers against his temple, he feels like this is one of those hypothetical problems. He decides to share his thoughts aloud: ]

It feels like that hypothetical situation of encountering a guard where one guard lies, and one guard tells the truth. [ So. ] Rather than believing that she'll take a lie as gossip, it may be another problem.

If a person lies to her, what stops her from lying back? Furthermore, if a person tells the truth, is that the key to the solution? [ He hums. ] So, the control would be a truthful statement.

So, should the two of us ask the exact same question to see if the answer differs?

[levelshift]

[Credit where credit is due! Especially when this discussion is actually getting the gears in his brain turning. This is way more interesting than just gossiping about people, and Accelerator absently shifts his laptop to the side so he can rest his elbows on the table, his chin in his hands as he thinks.

Vincent is right, there's nothing stopping her from just lying right back. They need to account for that, make sure they've got some way to making sure whatever information she gives is the truth.]

She didn't say anything about us only giving her gossip on one person. [Maybe there's something there.] One person tells her two lies, and the other tells her one of those lies and some truth. Then we see what happens.

[banworthy]

True enough. [ Looks like they have to get some information on quite a few people. ] Which one are you willing to be? The liar or the one who tells some truth?

[ Vincent has some rumors that he can give that are true, but he wonders if it's right to give them. Because -- ] Be certain that the truth you're giving her isn't something you wouldn't mind broadcasting everywhere.

We don't know what she's going to do with what we tell her, either, right?

[levelshift]

Yeah. [Telling some truth would be the safer route, that much is obvious. So, of course --]

I can lie.

[He's going with the more difficult option. There was never any doubt in his mind.]

Between the both of us, I'm sure I'll be better at handling any consequences that might exist.

[Says the skinny fifteen year old who uses a crutch.]

[banworthy]

You sure?

[ His eyes drift up and down, properly accessing the young man. ]

Could it be that you also have power?

[ Could it be that he looks the way that he does as an unfortunate consequence of having great power? ]

[levelshift]

[Vincent, getting it in one!]

I'm an esper. [He waves a hand airily, not really caring about explaining this. People know here, and everyone knows back home.] I've got psychic powers, so I can handle whatever that woman might throw at me.

[banworthy]

ESPer, huh?

[ Pronouncing the word differently, he nods along as he accepts that between the two of them, the teenager can handle whatever negative reaction might come. He's more than happy to use him as a shield, as well. ]

Guess that's decided, then. [ Hopefully, he didn't expect him to be a reasonable adult who would say something like, "Oh no, even if you've got powers, you should still be protected."

... Although! He rolls his eyes up - as he thinks that a cheesy line like that might earn him some points. ]

Still, are you sure? I mean, even if that's the case, you're still a kid and I'm an adult.

[levelshift]

[It's decided! Or it should be. That mention of his age is causing Accelerator to roll his eyes as hard as he can. It's peak teenager brattiness.]

Fuck you, I'm more capable than most adults. It's not a big deal.

[An adult trying to adult, how annoying.]

[banworthy]

[ It is a second after he says what he did that he realizes that Accelerator might be able to read his mind. He sits a little straighter - as he fears that his play at acting like a concerned adult is going to be torn apart.

However, that isn't what happens. ]

I guess I'll have to take your word for it, then.

[ He thinks he should lay some other heartwarming line, but he decides against it. Once is fine. Twice or more is pushing it. ]

Do your best not to die, though.

1/2

[levelshift]

[Thankfully, this is regular grade 'teen being a teen' and Accelerator's behaviour has nothing to do with his powers. He scowls and clicks his tongue, unsure of whether Vincent is aware he died back in Moorecroft. It's possible, but regardless, he has no problem going through with this.]

I'll be fine. As for a truth you can use... hmm.

[He doesn't want to give away any personal information of the people he likes. There are a few of them around here, and it's important to him that he respects their privacy. Giving away his own information is fine, he had no privacy back home so he doesn't care much about it here.

He could say something about his prison record. Or his ability, that's common knowledge back home.]

I --

[I was convicted of over ten thousand counts of first degree murder.

I altered the cosmic laws of my universe.

I know how to do brain surgery on a person by altering their bioelectricity.

He opens his mouth.]

I don't remember my real name.

2/2

[levelshift]

...................................................................................

[Wait.

Did he really just say that out loud?]

[banworthy]

[ Vincent turns his hand out as he waits for the truth that he could use.

His eyes widen at the idea that the teen can't remember what his real name is.

As though attempting to be polite, he looks away to pretend he didn't see what expression Accelerator wore. He scratches the side of his neck as he fixes his gaze on the wall. ]

... do you want a name? Other than Accelerator, I mean?

[levelshift]

[Accelerator visibly tenses, dropping his hands down to the table and staring down at them. It takes him a couple seconds to compose himself.

He didn't mean to say that. He didn't, but he did and now it's fucking out there. Great.]

Fuck no. [His gaze hardens and he curls his hands into fists before glancing up, a little grateful to see Vincent isn't looking at him. He practically spits out his next words.] Accelerator is what I go by.

[banworthy]

[ Rubbing underneath his nose, he keeps staring at the wall.

It isn't completely out of kindness, but some level of self-preservation. What he's learned is something he could use to hurt him later if need be, but that's always a dangerous thought to have. So, it's best to not look like he's internalizing that idea.

His chin drops down to give a small nod. ]

All right. Forget I even asked then, Accelerator.

cw: cannibalism talk

[levelshift]

[He forces his expression to shift to one of indifference, carefully following that up with a flat tone in his voice. It's out there now, it is what it is, all he can do is deal with it.]

It doesn't matter. Just use it as your truth. [Clearly, the best way to show he completely, absolutely doesn't care about it.] It's better than going with something like 'Lecter's a cannibal' and painting yourself as a target. I'm not gonna get pissed off if you tell her.

[See!! Completely fine!! (Nevermind the fact that he's comparing himself to Hannibal of all people.)]

cw: the cannibalism talk continues but also with some specisim!

[banworthy]

All right, I'll hold you to that one.

[ A beat. ]

I don't know if we can really call him a cannibal, you know. He didn't eat a human, but someone who is half-human. I wonder, eating someone who is half-divine... do you feel a little holier? Little more pious?

[ It's a joke; Vincent doesn't feel any different, himself, but he's never been someone with powers. His expression falls as he realizes something - and he has a second realization. Heather might be in trouble as someone who has been touched by the divine. She didn't seem too troubled or different, but - he might have to do something ... selfless. Ugh! ]

cw: cannibalism and speciesism

[levelshift]

[For his efforts, Vincent gets another eyeroll.]

Do you?

[Vincent's the religious guy here, if anyone is going to feel pious after eating someone who's half-angel or whatever, it's going to be him.]

Half-human is still human enough, the guy's still a person who definitely wasn't into all that shit. [That's the important part to Accelerator, that a person lost their agency and the people who ate him had no choice in the matter.

He sits, back, folding his arms.]

Besides, he's only eaten a half-human here. That isn't getting into what he's done back in his own universe.

cw: cannibalism and speciesism IT'S A FUN TIME OVER HERE

[banworthy]

Thankfully, no.

[ His loose mouth says more than what he means to say, but whatever. ]

Jeez. [ Vincent shakes his head as this sounds like the same argument that he had with Heather. She wondered how he could not be bothered about eating someone who had thoughts and feelings, but well -- ] I think the implications are much more interesting than what we did.

[ He sits back, mirroring the pose. ] Do you know something?

cw: cannibalism and speciesism + emeto mention this is how u relax right

[levelshift]

[Thankfully.

That sticks in Accelerator's mind. Guess religion can take a person only so far. What was it Aleister said, 'every man and woman is a star'? Maybe Vincent doesn't agree with that.]

I went over to his place to talk to him. Confirmed a few things.

[As if it's perfectly normal to waltz on over to a possible cannibal's home and strike up conversation with him about his hobbies. Really, it's ridiculous, especially when the earpieces and Aurora's network exists. Hannibal is fine with calls, he only dislikes texting.]

Don't know how many people took that message from that Samil guy seriously. I also don't know how many people threw up after seeing it. [Which is like... the normal human response to realizing you ate people.]