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

[it has too much experience, seen too much. time to let it go!]

You can look nice and comfortable. Can't you? [the implication is he doesn't look nice.]

[Nnnoooo 😭]

...

Are you saying I look sloppy in general, Maria?

[not the way he's suddenly catching strays in this conversation]

[she's got nobody to impress anymore so yeah. might as well give him feedback. consider it advice!]

Not any worse than some of the guys in the bar.

[so he doesn't look worse than a drunk creep.

but she's quickly laughing.] I'm only teasing. But why not try something new?

[The longest pause.]

I guess.

[Can you tell his enthusiasm levels are through the roof.]

Anyway, don't you want to get yourself something first? A new mug and some warmer clothes. You can worry about me later.

[james if you won't lose yourself in delusion and choose her over everything the least you can do is pretend you think she's funny?]

What, only I can get something and you can't? Multi-tasking.

[;aksdf maybe someday, i'm sorry he's like this]

Uh-huh. We'll see.

[Maybe that's the most concession she's going to get. James turns, though he does glance back to indicate she should follow for now.]

Come on. No point in standing around, right?

[aren't we all?

she follows after him though not quickly because she's in heels and seriously James you couldn't have wanted a woman in sensible shoes either?? ]

As we're walking, tell me, did you get any good gossip?

[Look, if he could control his own subconscious mind, then Silent Hill would've been a much more pleasant experience for them both. He's sorry you got stuck with heels, Maria; maybe they can find her some more suited shoes, too.]

...Uh. Not really. But a little while ago, I did learn there were others here from our world. Did you know that?

[she wouldn't be here without his subconscious mind so she should be more grateful for it honestly.]

Heather and Vincent? I know. Didn't tell them I was from the same place though. Did you?

[Er.]

...Silent Hill kind of came up, yeah. I didn't go into any details, though.

[there is another world weary sigh. James, you man, you.]

If I talk about Silent Hill it gets more complicated for me than it does for you. I played dumb.

[Look. He's doing his best here.]

I know. And that was probably wise. Heather seems like a decent girl who's way in over her head. But that Vincent guy... she told me he's part of some kind of cult that's been after her for a while. Made it sound like he shouldn't be completely trusted.

[he sure is making an attempt.

Though her face changes when he makes that comment about Vincent. she stops and looks at him, face obviously worried.]

She didn't tell me that at all. Do you think she's okay? I mean, that Vincent is a weirdo and he got upset over his religion with me but...

James, we have to keep an eye out for Heather.

[the concern is very much real.]

He got upset with you?

[Oh, he makes a face. The vibes are off with that guy for sure, especially with this new information.]

...I think you're right. We will. I'll try, anyway.

[His track record for keeping people safe is not a very good one. In fact, it's the inverse of good. But he has to do better. Not just for the sake of being here, of being judged... but for his own penance, and for Mary.]

I mean, not with me. Kind of at me. I made a comment about his religion and he just sort of ranted. I didn't feel threatened or anything. He seemed shocked he got so upset. [not that it didn't feel off. kind of weird. it definitely had been. but she hadn't worried he was gonna hurt her or lash out at her.]

I like her. She was nice to me and I don't know, I just felt kind of drawn to her. Like she needed someone. I guess I could understand her. Being here all by herself. She's not a little girl but she is young, isn't she?

Well, if he's really with a cult—and I don't see why Heather would lie about that—it makes sense he'd have strong religious opinions. Especially if they clash with what he's been taught.

[God, he doesn't know, though. He assumes that's what cultists do. Argue about religion. Make dread sacrifices.]

Heather's still a teen I think, yeah. I can't imagine being that young, stuck here all by yourself... So I guess she took a liking to you?

She told me she wasn't worried about him and he talked about the message being misconstrued. So I don't know. I asked her if he was a creep and she said no. [she didn't think Heather would lie about that.]

Funny, right? [that Heather would like her.] She helped me and she seems like a good girl. I feel bad for her.

[From what Heather told him about the cult, James would assume anyone in it would be a creep. But he doesn't know the details, he'll admit that much.]

What, funny that she took a liking to you? I don't think so.

[He and Maria might have a..... complicated, strained relationship, and sure, she did try to kill him that one time, but James knows that at her core, she's helpful. She can be kind. It's not surprising to him that Heather would gravitate towards that.]

What are her other choices from her world? Some cultist and... me?

[i mean,]

[Silent Hill didn't really offer Maria many options. she'd say it wasn't personal when she tried to kill him but well, it was.]

Give yourself some credit. You were my only choice and look how well that turned out. [at least she can joke about it and really, that was one of her more redeeming qualities. she was playful.]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Joke or not, Maria's probably the best choice for offering Heather some comfort and solidarity both, and he'll not argue that point.]

You two can talk about... I dunno. Girl stuff.

[Girl stuff. That's bonding, right?

They near a trash bin and James will walk over, with the intent on throwing these shards of mug away.]

"Girl stuff". [she huffs a laugh and doesn't say anymore on that topic. really, she doesn't know if she is good companionship. in reality, she isn't very sure of much about herself.

but oh well.

she follows after him and nicely says:] If you did want to keep it, it wouldn't be the strangest thing. Or the worst. [being outside of Silent Hill is curious for her. she may still be drawn to James but it's not the near obsession. and the parts that she's sure were Mary's wishes are there more clearly.

she can't help but feel some pity.]

I could turn my back right now and wouldn't even know what you did with those pieces. [and she does, giving him privacy. keep the pieces, James. seriously not the weirdest thing.]

[He isn't sure he expected that encouragement from Maria, to keep these broken shreds of the Mary mug, but he shakes his head.]

I know. But I'm not choosing to toss them just because you're here. It's more like... I'd feel like I'm still clinging to something that I shouldn't.

[A notion that he doesn't really deserve any longer. It's truly as simple as that.]

Trust me, I don't think you're doing anything because of little old me. [he made it clear okay!]

But I can't lie and say it isn't a little sad. To throw it away. It makes me feel...I don't know. Like I'm being tossed away too. Which sounds crazy. [she's grateful her back is turned to him still because seriously why does she feel sad about it? she's not Mary, she made a huge show of that multiple times.

she laughs.]

We're nuts, aren't we? Throw the stupid thing away. It's an ugly mug anyway.

[NO NOW HE'S GOING TO FEEL BAD ABOUT THROWING IT AWAYYYYY

Honestly, maybe they are a little nuts at this point. Silent Hill definitely changed his brain chemistry, and not always in good ways. Having been so adamant on throwing the mug away, now James hesitates. He glances aside at her, though he can't see her face since she has her back turned.

He's already made Maria feel "thrown away" before; and there's simply no changing that. Does he have to do it a second time, albeit in a much smaller way?]

Okay.

[ ... ]

Then let's hold onto it.

[help]

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