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⏴

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Spill the tea!

[ Doreen is curled up in one of those wicker daybeds, with her giant fluffy tail curled around her legs like a blanket. Chunky knit sweater? Check. Tea? Check. Cinnamon bun? Double check. She is set! If someone approaches her, she'll greet them with a friendly wave. ]

Ok, I'm not much for gossip, but this? This is like, maximum cozy. I am genuinely into this whole situation. Don't get me wrong, if a yeti or something jumps out the middle of this daybed and starts messing things up, I'ma punch it, but for now, this is great!

Close knit-

Hey, uh...

[ The robots may have gone a little overboard. Doreen has been given a hat, some mittens, a scarf that's wound around her neck... and at least six more scarves, which the robots have unsuccessfully tried to wrap around her tail. ]

Need a scarf? I've got so many right now.

Snow More Games!

[ Doreen's crouched down, trying to teach one of the robots how to build a snowman, when her tail suddenly twitches. The second she notices an incoming snowball, she leaps twelve feet in the air and lands on top of the nearest streetlight. ]

Gonna have to try harder than that, my dude!

Edited 2024-11-26 05:11 (UTC)

[Okay, it wasn't a yeti jumping out of the daybed, it was a cat-shaped alien who saw that fluffy tail and decided it looked like a good place to take a nap. They've managed to decrease their burden of knitwear to a single scarf, but it probably won't stay that way for long if the robots notice. In the mean time, however, there's a cat jumping up onto Doreen's tail to make themself at home.]

[ Please hold, Doreen hasn't seen a cat in months, this day has instantly improved! She gasps, and reaches out a tentative hand for the kitty to sniff - she knows better than to go in for the scritches right away. ]

Hey, buddy! I like the scarf.

It's better than the hats and sweaters the bots keep trying to stuff me in.

[They agree with the sentiment, even as they headbutt the offered hand to invite scratching. It's tempting to knead the soft fur they're on, but for now they restrain themself.]

Ohmygosh talking cat.

[aaaaah that headbutt! he is getting ALL OF THE PETS! Sleeper may be showing restraint with making biscuits, but Doreen has none! ]

They are a little, uh... overly enthusiastic, huh? Are they at least cat-sized hats and sweaters?

Mostly. I'm still drawing the line at booties. You can't really enjoy the snow in knit booties with nothing to keep it from penetrating.

[They lean into the petting, helping Doreen find all the best spots.]

... Would you like waterproof booties with actual soles in them? Like, would those be helpful? Because I could probably figure something out, or find someone who could help reverse-engineer a pair.

[ she's thinking of tagging in Gorgug, specifically. A magic artificer should be able to rig something up! ]

Nah, I'm already waterproof if I need to be. It's more the principle of the thing. A cat in booties is just pathetic. Dogs at least have reasons to wear shoes if the weather gets bad and they don't have enough coat.

[They have standards. High ones. That definitely don't involve trying to shake off booties that are definitely never cute.]

Ok, cool! Wasn't sure if sidewalk salt on the paws would be an issue or what.

[ do they have toebeans, this is a very important question! ]

... or if we even have sidewalk salt, for that matter. I'm Doreen, by the way!

I'm Sleeper.

[They will allow peets to be inspected for beans if Doreen tries to do so. The furry warmth is nice and almost worth trying to wrap oneself in like a purrito.]

I didn't notice any. But then, maybe the bots have some other way to keep the snow where it belongs.

[ Listen, if they roll over and Doreen catches a glimpse of those peets, nobody has to say anything! ]

There's probably a big ol' snowplow-bot biding its time in a garage somewhere.

... Listen, I can't help but notice that you're cat-shaped but not very furry? And also have four eyes? Feel free not to answer if it's a rude question, but what's up with that?

I like to make a memorable impression. And I'm not exactly your ordinary cat.

[They aren't going to give too many details, but they've publicly demonstrated their shapeshifting ability and mentioned being Klyntar on the network, although not what a Klyntar precisely is.

But enough of that, they're going to roll over and try to take the furry warmth with them to cover themself up. Hard to have deep conversations when you're overwhelmed by their cuteness.]

I can see that!

[ Hey, Doreen ain't gonna network-stalk them, but they're more than welcome to use the tail as a burrito blanket! She isn't going anywhere. Plus, peets sighting! She's gonna explode from the cuteness! ]

Man, my bestie's cat back home did the exact same thing with my tail.

(no subject)

definecat - 2024-12-20 04:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

eatsnutsandkicksbutts - 2024-12-24 02:53 (UTC) - Expand

[Hikaru's mainly out and about to get a look at the snow and maybe play in it some - But she stops when someone asks her about a scarf. She looks up at the taller girl and thinks.]

I think I'm fine, but - if you don't need it, I can give it to someone who does.

[It's probably weird that she seems perfectly fine with just her school uniform and a couple pieces of light armor. No winter clothes to be seen.]

[ That... that is a kid who is definitely not dressed for the weather. Doreen tries not to judge, or be too pushy when it comes to helping people (okay, maybe not so much the latter), but she also has absolutely no poker face, and can't hide her concerned look. ]

You sure? We're getting a lot of snow here, you might want something just in case you start getting cold. The robots are offering up plenty.

I saw! That's really sweet of them, but I promise I'm fine.

[And if nothing else, she certainly looks fine. No shivering or anything. Doreen does look concerned though, so Hikaru takes a second to hold up her hand and produce a small flame.]

See? All fine.

Ohhh, it's a magic thing! Ok, I gotcha!

[ That makes a lot more sense! Doreen is used to all kinds of superhero weirdness, so she isn't too fazed by this. ]

Dude, talk about convenient! You've got instant cozy campfire powers.

[Hikaru brightens considerably not having to explain anything further than that. In fact, she almost seems proud.]

Exactly! I didn't really notice it before because it's always been kind of warm, but it's nice.

[ As well she should be! This power rules! ]

Has this always been a thing for you? You must be in pretty high demand over the winter!

Oh- not all the time, more recently actually. And I can't use this back home.

[File it under: "It's complicated", only not so complicated as she thinks.]

Wait, hold up, did you get this magic stuff here? Like 'hey, sorry we kidnapped you to save the universe, no pressure, here's some cool fire magic to sweeten the deal'?

[ Doreen, who has wanted to be a superhero since she was a little kid and technically started her career at 15-16, isn't usually the type to fuss about kids with powers. Hell, she's been on the opposing side of legislation that was meant to stop superhero kids from superheroing, she is, in theory, all for this stuff. But being thrown into the universe-saving deep end like this, without a support system in place? That sucks! She has several complaints to register with Echo and Aurora! ]

[Hikaru shakes her head at that. She's really not very good at explaining this without explaining everything is she? She had this same problem talking to Riz and Gorgug too.]

I was- Before this I was home. And then I was taken to another world where I was given my magic. And then I was brought here, if that makes sense? [Fuu would say it more intelligently and Umi would be able to break it down better.]

[ CHILD, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN ISEKAI'D ]

It totally does! Not very often you meet people who've been through this stuff twice.

[ Fire magic or not, Doreen has already decided that if anyone or anything comes at this kid, they are getting punched out and given a stern talking-to. ]

I'm Doreen, by the way! Nice to meetcha.

[DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT]

I'm Hikaru. It's nice to meet you too! [She does smile brightly, despite the topic.] I'm sorry it happened to anyone at all, but we're all here. So we should work this out together.

[ SOUNDS FAKE, GONNA WORRY ANYWAY ]

Yeah, exactly, exactly! It's all about the Power of Friendship And Also Teamwork!

[ SHE IS BEAMING, Friendship and Teamwork are in a four-way tie with Squirrels and Computer Science in Doreen's list of absolute favourite things! ]

We've got so many people here from so many different places, it's only a matter of time until we figure this one out.

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