November Mingle

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[nobraincell]

[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.]

[kidnappered]

[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!]

[nobraincell]

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?

[kidnappered]

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.

[nobraincell]

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.

[kidnappered]

...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.

1/2

[nobraincell]

[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.]

[nobraincell]

[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.

[kidnappered]

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.

1/2

[nobraincell]

[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...]

[nobraincell]

[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.]

[kidnappered]

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.

[nobraincell]

[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.]

[kidnappered]

[...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!]

[nobraincell]

[Hm. While this isn't the result he was expecting, it's definitely one he likes. If he had a tail it'd be wagging right now!! Is he even listening to the explanation?

He probably more or less got the gist of it anyway.

Probably.

Anyway he's using his free arm to occasionally mess with his earpiece occasionally during the explanation, doing his best not to jostle the Ouyang on his shoulder.] Wuyou's so smart, as expected of my brother. You figured that out so fast.

[kidnappered]

[This was kind of really nice? Chu Wenshan's stupidly solid body feels comfortable to lean against. And he's warm!]

Hmph! Of course I would. Unlike you, I listened to the explanation.

[nobraincell]

[He's warm like a dog! Here to be your personal heater!]

There was an explanation?

[kidnappered]

There was. But you probably walked out without listening to any of it. Not listening to people seems to be a bad habit of yours.

[Well. Maybe it had improved just a little recently...]

[nobraincell]

Mm. That's possible.

[A pause.]

I'm listening to you now though. [See! He can listen! Sometimes!]

[kidnappered]

Mm. [He tucks his hands into his sleeves. Damn, it's cold here!] That's something I'm still getting used to. [Pause. Oh no. That sounded a little...too fond, didn't it?! He wants to clarify that it wasn't that he liked being listened to by Chu Wenshan! But:

lol truth serum rip you tsundere]

[nobraincell]

[Cold, even in all those layers on this heated seat! Chu Wenshan looks at him for a second, then starts stripping off his outer layer.]

Wear this.

[kidnappered]

...ah?

[Look at that big question mark!!]

Why?

[nobraincell]

It's an extra layer for you.

[Says the guy who's now down one layer.]

[kidnappered]

...for me? Why would you--?

[But Ouyang Duyu isn't stupid. He knows what this is about!]

Are you looking down on me? [For being cold!?

(He is, in fact, stupid.)

[nobraincell]

We're about the same height when we're sitting...?

[Stupid goes both ways.]