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

[she assumes he's annoyed Heather shared that she knew Vincent (which is weird?)] I asked if she was okay here, if she was alone. She said she knew someone from her world. You. It was hardly worthy of any gossip. [she felt a little defensive for Heather. she didn't think Vincent would yell at Heather or anything but she didn't want Vincent to think Heather had spoken about him behind his back.]

Said you were ultimately harmless though when I asked if you were a creep. [sorry but well, you know how it be.]

Did mention she met you when she visited her old home. [so then...is he from Silent Hill?]

That, so. [ His eyes drift away from her, rolling around the ceiling, as he mulls over what is said and dips his chin down in a quick nod. ] Fair enough.

Good, good. [ He sucks his tongue against his teeth, nods along as he agrees that he is ultimately harmless. The corner of his eyes squint in irritation before smoothing over to amusement. ]

Her old home. I'm surprised she's willing to say that much. [ His mouth opens as he actually says: ] Ha, ha, ha. [ A little song sung. ] But I guess we can't really change where we're from.

[ His eyes refocus on her face and he adds with cheer: ]

All right, thanks for telling me all that, Maria. I appreciate it.

[Maria eyes him as he talks. then he was from Silent Hill. which could mean everything and nothing at all. it wasn't as if normal people didn't live there but Vincent was not normal. that was obvious.

she knew withholding that she was from Silent Hill could bite her in the ass later but it seemed like a bad idea to say she was. that opened up too many questions.]

Besides, if she did gossip, who can blame her? That's what we're supposed to do.

Oh... I don't mind. [ He waves his hand dismissively. ] She can gossip as much as she like about me.

[ Opening his mouth, he cheerfully adds: ] I just won't do the same because I am harmless. [ His fingers drum on the surface of the table. ] I doubt anything would come of it, but I don't need the trouble.

[ His gaze becomes unfocused as he stares at the cup, letting it become blurry, before tilting his head slightly. A brief little smile touches his mouth. ]

Anyway, gossip. Let's think of some together, hm?

The more someone says they're harmless, the less they seem it. Just saying. [she shrugs, not really being too serious about it. mostly she thought Vincent was weird.]

We can ask each other icebreakers. I used to do them all the time at the bar when I was stuck talking with drunkards. We can find something to gossip about?

Eh.

[ Is the noise that he makes in return. ]

Ah, sure, icebreakers. I do like that idea! [ His shoulders shake as he chuckles to himself. If he's bothered about it before, he's already over it. Yet to touch any topic that would make him make the conversation unpleasant, at the very least. ]

How much does a polar bear weigh?

Edited (i liked zorn's better than what i googled lmao) 2024-11-26 23:34 (UTC)

[Vincent, what.]

A lot?

I'd say ... enough to break the ice.

[ He taps his fingers on the edge of the table, doing his best to imitate a drum-roll at the end of a joke. ]

[okay, honestly? the attempt at the drum roll wins a small laugh.]

Good one. Not sure that's what that lady was looking for, but good one.

[ He holds his hands up in a small triumphant pose before setting them back on the table; one over the other, as usual. ]

Thank you. [ And he tips his head in her direction. ] So, what was the lady looking for?

Something juicy. But like you said, we're probably better off lying. I doubt anybody is sharing their deep, dark secrets. You're certainly not telling me your secrets, now are you?

[just like Maria isn't sharing hers.]

Oh, absolutely not.

[ He's not so much surprised by the honest reply as he would have said something similar in any other situation. He's more surprised by the tone which is immediate and sincere.

Vincent blinks and adds a little nod. ]

Then, hm... something juicy. [ A beat. ] Sure.

What's your biggest regret?

[she quirks her eyebrows with a smile.]

What a cutting question to ask a lady. Should I say a lost love or something? That'd probably be the best answer for me to say.

But I'll be little honest. I regret thinking that relying on others would do me any good.

Can't deny it is a juicy one.

[ He holds his hands out in partial surrender.

The teacup is lifted for him to take a drink as he mulls over her answer. ]

A fair regret. One I even share. [ His eyebrows come together. ] Still, I'm not done using them so I guess I'll regret it when they let me down a second and third time.

[ He tips his head. ] But what else can we do? Humans are social creatures, after all.

Oh, so you use them? [but she's hardly judging him from it. this is what people do. it's what she would probably do, she knows.]

People have been very helpful here. I'll admit.

Yes.

[ He pauses to scratch the inside of his ear. ]

But they're allowed to use me, as well. [ His hand drifts out of his ear to scratch his neck instead. ] It's better if things are transactional like that - so if someone lets someone down, you know that you upheld your side of things.

What do you use others for? I appreciate the honesty. Why should we not be more honest with each other?

[she uncrosses her legs and crosses them again. she is assuming it has to do with his religion.]

Everything and anything I think will be useful in the future.

[ He said he wouldn't be truthful and yet that isn't the case. His head tilts slightly as he acknowledges that he's saying more than he should, but -- ]

I don't know if it actually will, but ... I always think of it as the start of an investment. Even if the percentage of interest is quite low, it's still better than zero.

[Maria simply listens. she understands his point of view. it was how she started to view james, mostly because he was her only investment. the only one she could have banked on.

so no, it's not judgment.]

What happens when they're not worth the investment?

[ Vincent supposes he feels so at ease because she's not judging him. The usual rising of irritation hasn't happened if he feels he's being looked down upon. His eyes drift to the side as he muses over his next answer. ]

Those people are incredibly rare. [ A hum. ] Simply put, I don't think there is anyone here that isn't worth the investment. Even those that I've had ... unfortunate conversations with, Maria.

[ Unfortunate in that Vincent just wanted to argue until he was blue in the face. ]

I was going to say the only people I could think of were maniacs who you can't talk reasonably to or get anything back for the time you spent with them, but I don't believe that's true. Even those people have their value. Granted, I might not be the person who can reap the benefits from them, but someone else might be.

[ Claudia certainly wasn't worth the investment. But he did donate a vast amount of time to her madness. He clicks his tongue and rubs his face. ]

You never know if a person isn't worth the investment until you've spent time on it, and when they aren't, well, I think that they aren't worth much to society or people.

[right now, it seems like the worst idea to judge Vincent for what he's saying. also a bit hypocritical. though she guessed their circumstances were different. but even so, she won't judge. just listen. not like Vincent won't just keep talking. this is a man that loves the sound of his voice.]

Someone who might not hold value to you might hold value to someone else? And then it's like a trade. Or I'm just guessing. [it makes sense and she hums, taking a sip of her tea.]

Pretty harsh, don't you think? Your only value being what someone else deems or society? Not that that hasn't been the way of it. But not very optimistic on your end.

Right, exactly. [ She gets it; it seems his explanation was understood well enough. ]

It may not be optimistic but it is realistic. [ He waves his hand. ] Affection for someone is something that can only be built over time, but trust is something that people give others relatively easily.

[ Holding his hands up, he continues: ] Meaning you can trust someone without having any affection for them. Just knowing about what they'll do is enough to have some value to them, since if there's one thing people hate, it's unpredictability.

[Heather had been right about one thing: he really did like to talk your ear off. but it's amusing at least.]

You don't seem like the type to have affection for someone. No offense. [she smiles, showing she means no foul.]

Let alone trust someone to build affection. Can you have affection without trust?

No offense taken.

[ The amount of people that Vincent dislikes pales in comparison to the people he likes. If he thought about it, there isn't any group of people that he likes. He can only trust in himself; he can only trust in his transactional relationships.

But he isn't completely inhuman. There is a part of him that wants to connect with people; it may be why he feels sympathy for others readily even if he has to first verbally attack them so they know he's superior to them.

Ah well. ]

I think you can have affection without trust. [ A beat. ] Enjoying the sight and sound of someone without really believing that they won't betray your expectations in some way. I think you can lie to yourself and say that they won't let you down, but without taking the time to see if the investment is worth it...

It's just empty affection for something that appealed to your senses in some way.

[ouch. that hits a little close to home. certainly she'd known James was bad and yet she'd still gone after him. not that she'd had much choice. it wasn't like there had ever been anybody else for to try to depend upon.

except things were different now. she had choices here. yet there is a far off look in her eyes.]

Sometimes you see something that isn't there, huh? Or you fool yourself into it. Maybe it's just being desperate? [this is getting a little too real and she decides to turn it back on Vincent.]

You don't seem like someone that's trusted people either.

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