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

[ Vincent made what could only be called a plethora of badges. His little arts and crafts task turned into something else. However, he didn't really get a chance to hand out any of those badges. And they lost so he should have just thrown them away. Only he put a lot of time and effort into them and stubbornly did not want to do the easiest option. ]

Here.

[ Trudging through the snow, he spots one of his ex-teammates and tosses one of the cardboard badges at his chest. ]

(dropping the farce was a good decision, he finds. it does mean he will have to meet everyone all over again, as himself, see where that takes him, but truth is he doesn't tend to be in a role for too long. jobs are quick, bloody, and he vanishes thereafter.

not that it is something he can do here, but it had always been in his plans to spread the spider gospel anyway, so he might as well just be him.

which is why he doesn't really react at the badges, his hair slicked back and the tattoo visible on the middle of his forehead.)

... Is this what you made for the car parts?

You don't like it?

[ The badge itself is a poorly cut-out circle with an equally poorly drawn rabbit on the surface. On the back, it reads: "BEST THERE EVER WAS TO DO IT," with no concern for spacing of the letters. ]

I put a lot of work into these badges. [ His eyes flicker up to stare at the tattoo on Chrollo's forehead. ] That's new.

... Could be a weapon if one tried hard enough.

(actually, they are pretty bad. how did he put that much work if one might scrape their skin on the edges? sir. please.)

It's not, you just had not seen it.

Probably. [ He agrees readily. ] Flick them repeatedly at someone's forehead.

[ He holds his hands up in apology. ] Sorry, it's the first word that came to mind.

[ Anyway. ] New to me, then.

Hitting it would be harder than you would think.

(it's light, so, really, that would be some entertainment for a little while to watch it not fly as one was aiming.)

I was wearing the bandana all these past weeks, so yes, news to you.

Do you think so?

[ Vincent takes another badge out of his pocket (how many does he have? don't ask him) and looks it over. He tosses it in the air - before a chilly breeze takes his cardboard work of art away to a snow pile, not a foot away from him.

He stares at it -- anyway. ]

Why the sudden change?

Truth is out, so processes are sped up.

(not a smidge of reaction - he knew it wouldn't hit either way!! he said it!! but whether what he says now makes sense or not is not on him.

and yet, there is very little to trust about vincent. in his web of lies he did catch heather, and some statements have not gone unnoticed.)

I was wondering something. Are you alone in this place?

(he knows for a fact he is not, but indulge the questioning.)

Process, hm? Sounds serious.

[ No reaction? Interesting.

He thought it might, at least, get a laugh.

Vincent blinks as he processes the question that he's being asked. ]

Does it matter if I am or not?

If it mattered nothing, there would be no reason for my asking.

(he has heather's side of the story, more or less. avoid him, careful with him, but so far, dishonesty aside - not something he is bothered by, nothing he has seen would make him look twice.)

[ He hums.

His head tilts slightly as he wonders if he'd offended Chrollo and he's wondering if there's anyone that'd avenge him if he died. He rolls his eyes upward as he decides she won't do anything.

Furthermore, his problems are his own. Are her problems her own? No. But that's different. ]

Sorry, there are a few people from Earth, but I am pretty much on my own.

That must be tough. You seem like you do not have many friends, if you still have so many of those chips.

(at least he isn't going to die, it's not on the plans for today, no murders in his schedule, but you know. he did hide heather. interesting?)

For some reason, people don't want these.

[ He's really tried to get rid of them!!

Not fighting those "no friend" allegations. Vincent's aware of his awful personality; it'd be a little shocking if he wasn't. Honestly, he's more self-aware of how terrible a person he is, but at least, he's sane which is more than he can say about his other cult brothers and sisters!!! ]

... Give me all of them.

(we accept anything you leave here, etc. if he is trying to get rid of something, it would feel strange not to take it for someone like him.

but, interesting, no rebuttal on the friendless thing? he was expecting some defensiveness.)

You'll take them? I appreciate it!

[ Vincent pauses to reach into his jacket to pull out a small baggie that's filled with the cardboard badges that he made for the race.

He holds it out for Chrollo to take. ]

(he stretches his arm, fingers too with his palm up and willing. whatever he is going to do with it, he isn't sure. he doesn't have a set place to stay, he sleeps at the church at times, some buildings in nova city, here and there... he'll find a spot for it.)

Did you manage any of your betting schemes, on the topic of the race?

[ Plop.

He lets go of the little bag into his hand. Vincent could have left it in the apartment that he has and forgotten about it, but he just doesn't like his hard work not being used in some way. ]

Kind of. [ His shoulders give a little shrug. ] Not really anything to brag or talk about, however.

[ Hm. ] So, you've given up the guise of a morally upright person? How come?

(into his pocket it goes. whatever he will do with it, he isn't sure yet.)

So, you achieved nothing.

(in other words, if he were to take it how vincent put it!)

It was simply time.

I underestimated how things have been going, is all.

[ Yeah, but--!! ]

Simply time? Is something going to happen?

I just ended up speaking more than I would, so there is no need to keep half a facade when the secret is out. What do you think is going to happen?

(to give leverage and blackmail material to strangers? god forbid? god forbid.)

I guess you've been feeling too comfortable lately.

[ A teasing response.

His eyes roll up as he thinks he should mention that he thinks he's going to die, but why put that into someone's mind if it's not there? Better yet, why mention something that's obvious? It's better to play the fool in these situations? ]

Who knows? It's such a drastic change that anything could happen.

Far from it.

(he was careful, he just wasn't careful enough. it so happens sometimes, narrow-mindedness makes him lose a little bit of sight, and instead of gathering information, he ended up giving it. because, sometimes, even geniuses can be stupid. nature of living, you live, you learn.)

I didn't ask for broad statements, though. I want to know your opinion, do you think what they are telling us is true?

About what?

[ His eyes drift to the side - as he thinks he's acting too empty-headed with that question, but the question's already out. So what can he do but live with it? ]

(he is not buying it, unfortunately for vincent. perks of knowing heather, you see?)

About the whole 'fight for your existence as it is all crumbling' premise.

You're not the first person to deny the truth of it, but --

[ He bounces his shoulders in a playful shrug. ]

-- even if they're lying, what can you do?

wildcard;

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