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]

...Why would they have brushes at a food store?

[Brushes aren't food??]

[tinflower]

It's a-- convenience store. Where they have some other stuff too? One of those. You know.

[ Right?? You know, right? ]

[nobraincell]

[Does he know? He seems unsure...though he nods in the end anyway.]

I suppose that does seem convenient. You could replace your brushes or refill your ink while getting food supplies...

[tinflower]

[ Ink? ...Gorgug guesses you can refill ink at a store, so he's nodding as well. ]

And you can get bags, and batteries. Everything takes a kind of battery here we don't have where I'm from. But it's the same idea. You'll probably see things like that, too. Stuff that isn't exactly the same as you know it.

[ Except a convenience store. Those are all the same, surely. ]

[nobraincell]

...What's a battery?

[And so we return once again to confusion.]

[tinflower]

[ Oh no. Explaining things?? Gorgug makes a few grimacing faces... ]

...if you don't know what it is, you probably won't need them, so-- it's okay. It's okay.

You don't come from a world with cars or-- circuit breakers?

[ You've always gotta check! You gotta check, unless they try and make you explain electricity!! ]

[nobraincell]

Cars...we have carriages. Is that what you mean?

[Please explain electricity!!]

[tinflower]

The ones that animals pull? Just animals-- normal, living animals?

[ No!!! he doesn't want to!! ]

[nobraincell]

I don't think dead ones could pull them...

[What a strange thing to be focused on. He sips his tea because there is still tea here and it is still mysteriously the perfect temperature.]

Though I could pull one myself if it came to that.

[tinflower]

[ Are you sure?? Are you sure???

Gorgug, however, has continued not to touch the tea... because it's not hot chocolate!!!!! ]

Well, sure... [ Gorgug doesn't doubt he couldn't! ] But different things can pull carriages in different worlds, and people use different-- energies.

[ Hold on, oh god, he hates doing this (explaining!!). Let him remember the companion bots and--point! ]

You see them? They run off electricity. It's like a battery. Like energy. People don't need to use animals anymore, or you.

[ Specifically Chu. ]

[nobraincell]

[Guess who's never heard of chocolate--also he's gonna look over at the companion bots and.]

.....They don't need to eat? [He still thinks they're just funny-looking people...]

[tinflower]

Technically, they eat electricity... [ Technically... ] And, technically, carriages can be hooked up with things like batteries that make them run off them instead. And other parts. And they still need someone to control it--

But they don't have to be strong enough to pull it. Does that make sense?

[ Does it?? Is he explaining this really well? ]

[nobraincell]

..........Does electricity taste good?

[And as for the rest--]

No.

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug's expression drops. Defeated.

Sighing: ] I don't know... it hurts like shit to get hit with...

[ He has been defeated once again... by explaining anything...

:( ]

[nobraincell]

Electricity is like lightning bolts, right? You should avoid getting hit by those, it's bad for your health.

[As if this is something that needs advising about...]

[tinflower]

But it's not always easy, right? Like getting stabbed in the back. It happens sometimes. I don't try to get hit by electricity on purpose, I think.

[ Probably?? ]

[nobraincell]

That's true, sometimes you can't avoid it. You've just got to train to ensure you can next time.

[Clearly this is how it works!!]

[tinflower]

Yeah, as best you can. Or if you get hit by lightning a lot, find a way that it doesn't hurt as much. Get gear that can-- take it. Absorb it.

[ Be an RPG character!! ]

[nobraincell]

Is there gear that can absorb lightning? It might be easier just to dodge it.

[Can't dodge lightning? Skill issue.]

[tinflower]

[ Excuse you?? ]

How? How is it easier?? Lightning can be really big and fast!

[ We're not all Tidus from Final Fantasy X!! ]

[nobraincell]

It can't be that hard. You just need to pay attention to where it's coming down, and react accordingly.

[He has never had to dodge lightning before, but a lack of experience does nothing to diminish his confidence here.]

[tinflower]

[ But this confidence... it surely means he has dodged lightning before! He's too confident! ]

Okay, but don't you have people attacking you too? The people throwing lightning are-- [ he gestures off ] --over there, and you have people in front of you distracting you! You get hit!

[ See!! Anyone would get hit!! ]

[nobraincell]

Lightning comes from the sky though. [Logic!! But okay sure he'll do some gesturing himself.]

If you're fighting in a thunderstorm, just make sure to watch the sky for signs of a coming lightning bolt while you're fighting. Hearing doesn't help as much for that, so you can focus it on your enemies instead. If you're lucky it might be a dry storm too, so you won't have to worry about the rain dulling your nose or interfering with sensing blades coming at you.

[He makes it sound so easy...]

[tinflower]

[ He's staring at Chu Wenshan as he speaks. Staring...

And then points to himself. ]

People hit me with lightning in a fight. With magic. We have magic.

[ It's the downside of a magical world, Chu Wenshan!!! Getting hit with magic sucks!!! ]

[nobraincell]

..................Magic is real?

[The only magic in his world is realistically impossible levels of physical skill...]