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

[ That’s a telling answer. Carver watches her close. Curious, now. There are a lot of ways he could read that. ]

Sure. Doesn’t matter now. Yours worth saving?

Maybe.

There's enough people it probably should be worthy enough for, don't you think?

[ Maybe, she says. An answer that says nothing and everything in the same breath. Should becomes a load bearing sentiment there. ]

Not really. Mine's not.

[ He shrugs, but his eyes never leave her. Not once. ]

But I've got dead to bury. That's reason enough.

Are there no kids in your world? [she doesn't look away from him but for the first time, her face turns sympathetic. if there were actual children depending on her, orphans like Laura who had clung to dying women in a hospital...

well. that seemed worthy enough to her.]

It doesn't seem right not to try for children.

Kids get fucked up all the time.

[ And his child is dead. Carver exhales and puts that thought away. ]

Never stopped anything. Just is.

[she sighs and finally turns her look away from him.]

Your world isn't fair, is it? Not that why really are but still. The way you talk is rough.

[ Carver tilts his head. Marking the way that she talks around her own world, the place that made her. That she is, supposedly, working to save. ]

Life’s not fair. That can’t be a surprise to you.

It's not. [she smiles and shrugs a shoulder.] But I've got a soft spot for kids. Which is why it's too bad I got chosen.

[ That could just be something people say. A sympathetic line to a listening ear. She is, certainly, a woman who considers how she comes across. Or it might just be true. Who’s to say just yet? ]

Oh?

I'm just not a good choice to use as an example. I don't think I know the first thing about being a good choice for something like this.

[she didn't think that came across as shocking.]

[ He shrugs at that. Watching her oh so close. ]

Why’d you think they picked you, then?

[she looks back at him again, not looking away. he seems like he wants to keep watching her and so she'll let him. but he'll know she's not looking away.]

Kind of feels like they chose badly on purpose. Like proving a point.

Maybe.

[ One bad apple to warn the others. It's hard to know. But very little Carver's seen here seems random. There's a pattern, a larger purpose, even if he can't see the edges just yet. ]

What would that point be, you think?

We're not worth saving?

But that's the pessimist in me, I suppose.

It's all about perspective.

[ Deliberately, he doesn't share his own. He's more interested in what she has to say. The words she chooses, the intonation. ]

Everything comes back to control in the end.

Like you and this conversation, Mr. Mysterious. [she sounds amused and unbothered. she could understand it. she had been trying to work hard on taking back control of her own situation. tried and failed.]

You haven't said much about yourself. Lots of me talking about myself and I don't think it's because you want to get to know me.

I like listening to people. Figuring them out.

[ He smiles. ]

And most people like talking about themselves.

You got me there. [she smiles back. right now, she's going to keep talking because it's easy to see he's trying to see where she stands and she can't be too suspicious. that's the last thing she needs and if she talks like she's normal, it's easier for people to think she is.]

At the bar, that can be half the job sometimes. Just listening to people drunkenly talk about their lives, their lost loves, how their father didn't show them enough affection.

Gotta get your tips somehow, [ he agrees. There's a reason he never went to bars to talk before the world ended; only to fight, get tanked, or hook up with strangers he'd never see again. A clean, closed system. ] It's not hard, right? Just make eye contact, say the right things, they'll go on.

[ Kinda like she is right now. ]

And if you can, flash some cleavage and you're golden if you're not up there stripping. [she motions to him, all covered up.]

Not as much of an option for you but well, you've got me talking so you've managed.

[ Carver gives her a thin smile. ]

I got a talent for that. I'm naturally social.

[ He very much is not. He's been told his manner is off-putting. But training compensates. There's still involved. Patterns to follow or break in turn. And he's had some of the best in the world, short of a terminal degree. ]

Are you? Somehow I can't really see you casually hanging out with someone.

Aww. Don't I give off that impression?

[ He grins, flashing teeth. But he keeps within his own space, no sudden motion. Just watching her. ]

That hurts my feelings.

Does it? I think I'd take it as an honor if I did manage to do that.

[her tone is joking. she feels like he's some cat.]

It doesn't seem like an easy task.

I'm just some guy. We just having a conversation.

[ He smiles. Normal people smile. His eyes never leave her, though. Not for a second. ]

Aren't we?

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