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

[Her posture doesn't relax, the word 'use' as uncomfortable as the idea that Vi might accede to a relationship out of gratitude.]

We both want to learn everything we can about this place, why we're here, and how to leave. [At least, she presumes. He'd wanted his questions answered, after all.] We could help one another.

[She frowns at him insistently.]

I don't want to use you.

[ His questions aren't quite like that, but he does think there is some merit to knowing those things. He is more curious about time - if he can ask but one question, he's curious about how time works. ]

Yes, we agreed on that point. [ A small nod. ] I'll share everything that I know.

[ He gives her a lopsided smile before it fades. ]

Well, I'd like you to, Caitlyn. It lets me feel useful.

I...

[Her frown only deepens, extremely unsure how to feel about that.]

We'll help each other, [she insists.

And then she's pulling her hand out of his, becoming more animated as her mind begins to cycle through questions, information, connections, everything she can think of that might be of some use.]

We ought to start by writing down everything we know already and all of the questions we want answered. Have you got a notebook?

All right.

[ They can word it like that, sure. ]

I don't have a notebook.

[ It may be because he is part of a cult, but he's done his best to never write down any of his thoughts. If anyone found them, they could use it against him. His distrust in people is unreasonably high, and worse since most members in his congregation are lunatics that would stab any heretic to death. ]

Do you have anything like that? [ Hm. ] Perhaps the earpiece can do something?

[ She can keep her notes, but he won't. ]

No, my notebook didn't make the journey here with me, I'm afraid.

[Whatever it was that made her use the phrase 'be together' in conjunction with Vi prompts her to explain further.]

None of my things did. Vi's sister knocked me out in the shower, and the next thing I knew I was here, with nothing but damp hair and a headache.

[It's one thing to admit she ended up here fresh from the shower without clothing, even if it is rather a blow to her dignity. It's another to explain that her last memory is of being hit over the head by the sister of the girl she has feelings for.

She scowls, once again wondering why she's so freely admitting things that she wouldn't normally want to share.]

That's unfortunate.

[ Somehow, he doesn't sputter into his tea upon hearing how Caitlyn came to this world. He swallows what he is drinking carefully. ]

It seems her sister didn't care for you. [ A beat. ] It's all right, I was stabbed by someone twice and didn't even have the courtesy to bring the knife.

[ He takes another sip of tea to deal with the awkwardness. ]

[Momentarily, her mind is torn away from the conundrum of her oversharing out of concern for his well-being.]

Stabbed? What happened? Are you alright?

[The hospital had been able to patch up her leg wound, so surely, she hopes, they must have done the same for him.]

[ Vincent frowns in an exaggerated way to indicate he's not troubled by it; his shoulder lifts in an equally lackadaisical manner. This calm reaction would change if the person who stabbed him was present, but details. ]

Sorry. That was a bit scary to say out of nowhere, right?

[ He holds his hand up, appreciating her concern, and realizing he should be more understanding. It just he's being a little more honest than he should be. Hm. ]

I'm all right. I'm alive and here, anyway.

[ A beat. ] A lunatic wanted me dead. It's a bit more complicated than that, but ... that about sums it up.

I'm glad.

[Glad he's alive, at least.]

I can relate. I don't even-- [She catches herself this time as she's about to say more on Jinx, things she really oughtn't say. The girl is Vi's sister, and despite everything, she still feels as though it should be up to Vi how much is shared, and with whom.

Which once again begs the question:]

Have you noticed anything strange about what you're saying?

[ People are not allowed to perceive him; he dislikes it, but what doesn't he dislike? ]

It's all right -- [ He lightly pats the top of the table. Honestly, what's the reason to attack Caitlyn? Because she fancies her sister? Bit closed-minded and honestly dangerous mentality. ]

I have noticed some strange things... I suppose it's because I feel comfortable around you, or want you to feel more comfortable around me.

[Vincent has a way with words. He's quite good at reassuring her, making her feel at ease in his company, smoothing over little rough patches. But once Caitlyn's got the scent of something, she's not one to let it go, and no amount of smoothing over will make her. Perhaps Vincent is sharing out of comfort, or perhaps he believes it to be true, rationalizing his oversharing, but Caitlyn knows that she's said things she ordinarily wouldn't.

Something's wrong.

She shakes her head.]

I wouldn't normally have said anything about Vi's sister. I-- It should be up to Vi whether to tell anyone about her.

That, so?

[ Vincent is a little surprised at how honest he's being but rationalizes it as he does. A little honesty is good to ensure someone feels comfortable; every lie is best when there is some truth in it. ]

That's odd. [ His honesty continues. ] She isn't here so I don't quite understand. Her sister sounds rather bigoted and deranged, so -- I don't see what the issue is about talking about someone who attacked you out of nowhere. [ He lightly paps his mouth with his hand; that is a bit too honest. ]

As true as that is, there was better ways of saying that...

She is deranged.

[Yes, the word is harsh, and Caitlyn might not normally want to say it aloud, but so many of Jinx's actions seem erratic, violent purely for the sake of violence. Mad.

Terrifyingly so, if she's honest.]

If Jinx were to show up here, of course I'd warn everyone of the danger. But I'm not-- It isn't-- [Once again, her fingertips drum awkwardly against the teacup.] There's a difference between warning of an imminent threat and spreading other people's private business. [Especially when the private business in question involves the girl she fancies.]

I'm terribly sorry --

[ Just from how her voice sounds, the situation sounds worse and more complicated than what he could understand. He reaches out to rest his hands over hers in a way to try to be comforting. Viewing her as a potential member of the Order, he can express himself better than thinking of her as an outsider. ]

-- I do hope to one day hear everything that happened, but I understand this is a difficult topic. I'll respect your privacy on this point for now, but I don't want you to hold onto these things. It's the kind of pain that a person can capitalize on and I'd like to be the one to help you through it, if I'm honest.

[ And he is.

His head tilts as he finds he's being quite forthcoming, at least. ]

So -- how about we share little truths about ourselves instead? Something small and hopefully won't bring you any harm or stress. [ Yes, yes; he thinks that she'll do well in the Order and will think more on how he can bring his religion here. It would do well for others - and he finally is in a position to ensure its message won't be tainted by the deranged and psychopathic. ]

Capitalise? [She doesn't quite take his meaning. Would anyone here truly try to exploit the fear she doesn't want to admit she feels whenever she thinks of Jinx? Or her misery at knowing that the girl is Vi's sister? Or the anger that's slowly beginning to simmer somewhere deep inside her at Jinx attacking her in her own home? It would never even occur to Caitlyn to do such a thing.

But she shakes her head. Grateful as she is for his comforting touch and offer to help, she's perfectly eager to not dwell on Jinx any longer.]

You're right. We should share gossip. Something we can give to that woman in exchange for information.

The people brought here are not all as good as you seem to be, Caitlyn. [ He has enough self-awareness to say that his personality is rotten, but he isn't a psychopath. ] I, myself, could be better. [ Ah. ] But in any case, I just wanted you to be warned.

[ Pulling his hands back, he rests them one over the other. Per usual. ]

Yes. Let's have it be something simple. A simple and easy truth. [ He nods along as he thinks. ] I'll go first. I have been part of my congregation since birth.

[For all that Vincent has been very good at reassuring her thus far, the idea that not everyone here is 'good,' and Vincent himself 'could be better' is... not reassuring.

Her eyes drift down to her tea, a heavy frown etched into her face.]

Congregation? [Religion is not particularly prominent in Piltover. She personally is unfamiliar with any members of any sorts of congregations.]

Yes. It's not that uncommon where I am from. People are born into the faith that they are going to follow for the rest of their lives.

[ And he just so happened to do that - ha ha ha. ]

It sounds very different to my world. Some places are more religious than others, of course, but in Piltover, most people care more about science than religion. There's a sort of wind spirit that some people in the fissures pray to, but nothing at all like you're describing.

[She frowns down at the tea. The idea of anyone being born into something that they're obligated to follow for the rest of their lives hardly sits right with her.]

Is there truly no choice?

I suppose that is one way to live.

[ Vincent can only chime in response.

His eyes roll up and around the ceiling; that is also a little too honest than what he wants to be saying. The tone is a little too flippant -- ]

There's no choice. [ Comes his immediate reply as he's thinking about how flippant his tone has become. Clearing his throat, he continues: ] However, it is a great comfort, as I am sure science and rationality is a comfort for you.

[A sudden, harsh scowl crosses her face, less at what he's saying than at the tone.

She's never given religion or science much thought. Late nights in Jayce's workshop, or at his lab, were always more of an excuse to spend time with her friend than a true show of fascination with his work. She could recognise his brilliance, listen to him talk and watch him fiddle with equations for hours, understand the importance of what he was doing, but it never caught her attention the way detective work did. And religion is even less a part of her life. There are rituals in Piltover. Marriage, mourning, that sort of thing. But no gods.

That no one gets a choice, and that Vincent could be so flippant about it, that's what galls her. People shouldn't have their whole lives, their careers, laid out for them from the moment they're born.

The scowl fades as she stares down at the tea. It doesn't appear to have lost any heat at all in the time it's been sitting on the table.

Curious.

She brings it up to her nose and sniffs. It smells exactly as she'd expect, no hint of anything off.]

You've been drinking the tea. May I see yours? [She holds out her hand for his cup.]

Yes, you may?

[ Vincent continues to wonder why his tone isn't quite what he wants it to be. How does he intend to convince her to try the Order if he can't show a minimal amount of concern and understanding of what is being said?

Troublesome, troublesome.

This might be something he has to put in a pin in for now. ]

[She takes Vincent's tea and sniffs it. It smells different to hers, as though it's another type of tea altogether. And it hasn't lost any of its heat, either. But there's nothing off in the scent. Not that she can detect, anyway.

The tea is set back down in front of him.]

Have you had anything else to eat or drink today, before the tea?

[She's still hung up on the mystery of why she's been willing to overshare, and the only thing she can think of that might induce such an effect is a drug, and the best way she can think to administer drugs without the knowledge of the person being drugged is through food and drink. And, at the moment, the only food or drink she can be certain they've both ingested is the tea.]

I usually eat the food at the hospital when I notice people wandering around who look confused and lost since it means they've baked something new. But no.

[ He blinks.

His head tilts to the side as he feels like that isn't something that he should broadcast. Yes, usually when new people show up, he is sitting in the lobby with a plate of whatever they've set out and eating. It's one of the few foods that he knows isn't going to do anything to him, or make him feel compelled to do any certain action. ]

Nothing, really. I came here straight away just to see what might be going on...

[It strikes her as odd that Vincent would go to the hospital, not to meet new people or try to help anyone who's confused and lost, but to enjoy new baked goods.

But that's something to file away for later, hardly important at the moment.]

Don't drink any more of yours. I suspect it's drugged. It's the most likely explanation for why we've been sharing more than we otherwise might.

November Mingle

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