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

[Why are you so close!? How is Chu Wenshan so often blind to the concept of personal space?]

How is this at least your second time explaining this and it still sounds stupid? [But at least it makes sense? Sort of?] You said the compound was attacked. [Now he moves closer, his hands grabbing Chu Wenshan's robes at the front.] Attacked by who? Wasn't it...wasn't it you?

[He couldn't stop the hope in his heart. He wanted to stop it, but...but there were so many questions that he'd formed since leaving Leafless Valley for the Red Moon Sect. He wouldn't have jumped to this conclusion so easily but again, Chu Wenshan didn't lie and he was even worse at subterfuge.

If he said 'our compound was attacked' as if he had nothing to do with it then...then--]

[If Chu Wenshan was already invading his personal space and he just pulled closer, does that mean—]

I threw you off the cliff, but the rest was apparently An Ze and his men. [He remembers facts!] Don't worry though, they've all been defeated.

[--does that mean if Ouyang Duyu lowered his head and leaned in just a little more his forhead would be touching Chu Wenshan's shoulder? Yes, yes it does.

There's a faint tremble in his body.

The truth seemed unbelievable because it would have meant someone close to their age had dressed up as Chu Wenshan and did the attack. Except it fell into place so easily, explaining every inconsistency they'd discovered from the brothers in Red Moon Sect...it even explained some of the strange responses they got. Everything made sense of Jianan Pavilion was responsible. And, at any rate, didn't their enemy have someone capable of changing their face?

This was--]

You never betrayed the Chu family. [The words felt like a relief to say, as if this more than even being tossed off a cliff was what weighed on him heaviest. He was smiling like an idiot and tears stung at his eyes.] I'm so glad...I'm so glad it wasn't you.

[Please touch Chu Wenshan's shoulder...the sense of dejavu he's getting from this conversation is counteracted by the fact that his brother(!) is smiling like an idiot this close to his face and it's...it's actually kinda distracting?

So there's a bit of a delay before he finally responds with,] I'd never betray you.

I mean Chu.

...Can I hug you.

[He didn't really pay attention to the delay. The smile had faded a bit and he was muttering to himself angrily.]

I know they're defeated but I still won't let them off easily. How dare they do this? Because of them--

[But before he could finish that thought Chu Wenshan spoke and, uh.

He blushes. Then he turns his head away because. Uh. Of course he misspoke! Of course!

Of course.

But uh. That last request was...

He thought of the way Chu Wenshan called him so familiarly earlier.]

...do we have the kind of relationship where we're hugging now? [He's mostly just talking to himself. Or rather, he'd rather not say it at all but: Truth Serum-ING]

We don't.

That's why I asked first.

[Every step of a relationship has to start somewhere!]

Ah...why do I feel disappointed....?

[!!!]

What I mean is--I would... [He pressed his lips together. He doesn't want to say it outloud! He would rather play it cool like he's doing Chu Wenshan a favour!! Also this is moving a little fast, isn't it???]

...I would like that. It would--it would make me happy.

[Someone kill him please. Also he's just going to lean his head on Chu Wenshan's shoulder. 没脸见人了.]

[Oh no he has the cutest brother in the world what is this, the head on shoulder was an unexpected bonus--anyway he's just gonna gently wrap his arms around Ouyang Duyu and hug him exactly as advertised.]

I might not know where we are right now, but I'm glad you're here with me.

[It's okay bro, your gege 没羞没臊, together we cancel each other out.]

...you idiot. Didn't you listen to anything when you got here? [A beat.] No, of course you didn't.

[Being held is nice though...and if he leans into a little bit well. As long as no one asks him he doesn't need to confess anything!]

You're lucky I'm here too. Otherwise what would you do? You'd probably just barrel around causing problems for yourself without any awareness.

[Of course he didn't listen! But he's definitely listening now, so that's a plus? He might also be nuzzling just a bit.]

You're right, I'd be totally lost without you. You have all the brains between us, after all.

[Not even close to an exaggeration.]

[Oh. The nuzzling was a little unexpected??? Kind of nice though.]

...were you always this clingy? [And then, because he's sort of figured out this truth serum thing now, he presses his face a little closer and muffles the next bit against Chu Wenshan's shoulder.] It's kind of cute...

[But he's pushing away anyway. Because they're in public!!]

You'd be hopeless without me, you mean. Did you even get the communication device they handed out?

[He's going to look at your ear to see if it's there!]

Edited 2024-11-30 17:44 (UTC)

I didn't have anyone to cling to before. [This is neither a yes or no to your question.

Also his ear is devoid of communication device, but since he's getting pushed away anyway, he'll take this moment to rummage in his clothes for a second.]

You mean this thing?

How can you just say such embarrassing things outloud? Not that I don't like to hear it but you shouldn't say these things in public!

[...of course he didn't know how to put it on.]

At least you didn't break it. [He's going to hold out his hand.] Hand it over.

Is it embarrassing? Sorry, I won't say it again.

[Handing over the communication device...]

You've figured out how to use it? Sharp as always, Ou-xiong.

...I just said not in public. When it's just you and me, it's...fine.

[Someone bury him alive.]

It's not even that difficult.

[Grumble, grumble...

He reached out. Technically, there's no need to brush Chu Wenshan's hair out of the way: He keeps most of it tied back except some wispy bits. But he just brushes those out of the way anyway, his fingers lightly skimming over Chu Wenshan's cheek.

Then he fits the communicator in his hear.]

Like that.

[Getting to have this sort of casual contact with Ouyang Duyu is something Chu Wenshan has never thought about but definitely appreciates now that it's happening. He stays obediently still as the thing gets put on, shivering ever-so-slightly at the brush against his cheek (is he suddenly ticklish??), and then...tilting his head slightly once it's on.]

If this is a communication device, does that mean I can use it to communicate with you?

[He carefully presses his fingers against it, accidentally turning it on in the process.]

[Suddenly! Chu Wenshan stiffens up, his gaze moving away from his brother to stare at the screen that just popped up in his vision!]

....I think I'm seeing things.

That's kind of the point of a communication device: to communicate.

[This feels more familiar, more comfortable. Teasing Chu Wenshan for his stupidity. It was more similar to how they'd interacted since Chu Wenshan lost his memories.

(He was going to regret this statement when Chu Wenshan sends him messages non-stop, isn't he?)]

You're supposed to be seeing things. It means it's working.

[Whoa, is he navigating this magical screen with his mind or something?? This is weird and confusing and he doesn't understand how it's working and attempting to figure that out is making his brain hurt.

Therefore he will stop questioning it in three, two, one...]

[Aaand we're back.]

I should figure out how to send you messages with this. Could you teach me?

[Is that its only use now? Apparently yes.]

Edited (i missed a whole sentence how) 2024-12-03 01:56 (UTC)

Of course I can.

[He'd both listened to instructions and played around with it already.

He sat down on the day bed. Then he patted the spot beside him.]

Sit.

[He sits on command! And then looks expectantly at Ou-xiong!

Is he expecting a lesson or a headpat or both? Just like with a real dog, all you can do is guess.]

[...does Chu Wenshan want something? He has no idea.

Unable to figure it out, Ouyang Duyu decided to just ignore it! Instead, he scoots closer, so their arms were pressed against each other and when Ouyang Duyu leans over, his cheek rests against Chu Wenshan's shoulder.]

I'll go over the basics.

[Blah blah blah, insert explanation here!]

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