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 has to actually think back about what she said and what she'd meant. she blinks in confusion and frowns.]

I just meant I didn't get to change my clothes before I came here. That's all. Could have given us a change of clothes. Told us we'd be freezing our asses off.

[ Hm. He's not sure what that look that crosses her face means, but as ever, Ivan isn't one to pry too deeply. ]

I'm sure there's a place to get pants around here somewhere. You don't have to be stuck with the one outfit.

I'd hope not. A girl's got to have options. [she takes another sip of her tea and shrugs.]

You going to go on a shopping spree or are you just a one suit kind of man?

If I pick up any other suits, they'll probably look just like this one. I'm a man of simple tastes.

[ He doesn't even need magical tea to make that confession, though he does take another drink. ]

Besides, most people expect me to wear black when they see me.

You could try to ditch looking so formal. You might look nice in some reds and that can add a splash of color while being rightfully gloomy in its own way.

[she doesn't think twice about his comment or how it could be construed.]

I like the suits.

[ Again, not a thing that really needs prying out of him. He's come to like his current aesthetic over the years, and it's hard to part from it. ]

You think I'm gloomy?

[ He asks, gloomily. ]

Yes. And I think you know you are. But it's fine. Part of your charm.

[not really meant as an insult at all.]

[ Congratulations, Maria gets a real laugh out of him, soft though it is. ]

You got me there. I'm not so sure if "charm" is a word I'd ever associate with myself, though.

[it feels like she won something with him laughing.]

There's different times of charm, right? Don't count yourself so short.

[ It is a rarity, that laugh, so be sure to treasure it. ]

I’ll just have to take your word for it. “Grim” is kind of in the job description.

Fitting for the setting. My job description? Not so much.

"Exotic," you mean?

[ He remembers the dancer thing! ]

I think that probably fits in a bit better. I'm a grim reaper in a place with no death.

[ ............... wait. ]

[tbh she just kind of assumes that's the one thing men would remember about her. not that she thinks Ivan seems like a man that would be a customer.]

A grim reaper? Is that what you're calling yourself?

[he did say he was a mortician.]

Yes? No. Hold on.

[ He is staring hard at his teacup now, and it all sort of clicks for him all of a sudden. What better way to get people to spill the tea? ]

Ah, hell.

[she raises her eyebrows.]

Yes?

[ He already knows it's going to spill out before he can stop it, and drags a hand over his face, exhausted. ]

I'm not a mortician, I'm a grim reaper.

Like...skeleton man with a scythe? [sorry that's all she knows of a grim reaper.]

Try a regular man with a scythe. I don't do that whole— [ vague hand motions at his own face ] —skeleton face, hooded robe thing.

Could you?

[asking the important questions.]

No.

[ But, for the sake of humoring her a little, he reaches out a hand, summoning swirl of shadow that coalesces into a large scythe. He keeps it held out over the edge of the daybed so he doesn't knock over their tea.

A moment later, he dismisses it, and it poofs away much in the same way it appeared.

Dryly, ]

Ta-da.

[her eyes widen at it and she puts her hands around her cup, gripping onto it more tightly.]

Are you here because of that? To...I don't know what you call it. Grim reap us?

[ Ah. Plenty of people have been scared of him. That's not new. What's new is a living person seeing him for what he is and being scared of him.

It's strange. He feels bad about it, but he also doesn't know what to do with that. ]

No, I swear. I was brought here just like everyone else.

[part of her fear is the fact she's not really normal at all. if you asked her what she thought she was, she wouldn't be able to tell you.

but being here felt like she'd found some loophole. got lucky. seeing Ivan made her wonder if she couldn't escape this...

she takes a sip of her tea and promptly asks:] So you aren't here to make sure I'm gone?

[ The way he blinks at her in confusion is probably answer enough, but still he offers, ]

No. Why would I do that?

[why did she ask? that was dumb. in her anxiety, she takes another step and that was a bad idea. right after she says:] I'm not real. Not like everybody else. I wasn't born like people are.

[she laughs.] I sound crazy.

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