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

People must love you for your sunny disposition and uplifting outlooks. [not that he hasn't been perfectly lovely to her. she knows he's trying to comfort her. be nice.]

But I know what you mean. Still, it seems wrong not to care. There's plenty who deserve for me to care.

[she thinks of children like Laura and well, she should try for her. think of kids who need a good world.]

Oh no, I don't mean you shouldn't care, [ Harold hastens to correct himself. He'd be the last person to say that, as a matter of hypocrisy if nothing else. ]

But I would suggest caring about individuals more than concepts. [ He gives a nod to her as if she illustrates his point. ] Including yourself. I'll do what I can to save my world, of course, [ though his tone indicates some doubt about the truthfulness of their situation, Harold's at least going to try-- ] but I don't think there's any sense in accomplishing it at the expense of the people in front of me.

Then I guess my dancing can be helpful to anybody who wants to get their rocks off. Look at that, I'm helping the general public by taking my top off.

[she is still joking and she laughs, giving a shrug. she knows what he means.]

But I think you do have a nice point of view. You're not wrong. Still, it feels like I have a whole world on my shoulders.

[ Harold rewards her only with a deadpan look, unruffled and uninterested in sex jokes. ]

A sentiment I unfortunately share completely, [ he mutters. Harold wouldn't be so preoccupied with ethical dilemmas if he didn't feel keenly the weight of getting it wrong. ]

Regardless, if you don't enjoy sex work, why not pursue something else while you're here?

[ This is a completely sincere question. ]

[she'd known he wouldn't appreciate the joke but his reaction is honestly much funnier than if he had laughed. sorry Harold.

the real answer to his question is she has no idea what else she can do. it wasn't as if she'd had the chance to discover that. so she just blinks and takes another sip of her tea.]

I don't think anybody here is in the need of it anyway. [there were no strip clubs in sight.] And who knows. Maybe it's time for a career change. Aren't there quizzes for stuff like that?

[ uggghhh why do people find his lack of humor so humorous gosh

But she's going along with his suggestion, so Harold sips his tea again as well and moves on. ]

Yes, but if there's one advantage to our current predicament, it's how low stakes it is to try out a new profession. Probably there's plenty of others who would be willing to train you in various occupations if you're interested.

It's not like we have actual jobs here between missions. [ Harold doesn't have an actual job normally either, though in a technical sense he has many identities employed at many companies. But he is very busy, and the amount of downtime here frustrates him. ]

Okay, well, what do you do? What if you taught me?

[this isn't a genuine request since she doubts she could understand. he seems educated and like he put a lot into his schooling. she doubts she'd be able to learn.

but he was fun to talk to. and nice.]

[ Oh no, he's not at all prepared for this question. Harold doesn't get a deer in headlights expression because he's too practiced at maintaining his composure, but he does swiftly try to think of the best way to get out of it. ]

Computers, mainly. Unless you'd like to be a dog walker.

[ Harold glances over at Bear. ]

Bear likes a faster pace than I'm capable of maintaining. [ He knows Bear loves him and will protect him, but he's under no illusions that he could provide for all of his needs on his own. Belgian Malinois need an extremely high level of activity. ]

[she laughs silently at him. yes, he's very fun to tease. and he doesn't seem to get to cross about it.]

No, computers are pretty far out of my realm. The dog walking, well. Not an expert on that either but what's the hardest part about that? [...] Picking up the poop, I suppose.

[she gives a look to Bear, frowning.] Would you be wicked with me?

[ Maria's stumbled on a past time well known and appreciated among Harold's few genuine friends: teasing Harold. He can give as good as he gets, but it always tends to be in that mild sarcasm that indicates he isn't truly upset. He likes the word play, if anything.

Bear is not generally too friendly with strangers, but they've been sitting together long enough now while she made peaceful conversation with Harold that he's relented a bit. The dog looks back at her and whines just a little.

Meanwhile, Harold rolls his eyes. ]

Don't be fooled, he's extremely well trained. He wouldn't give you any trouble if I told him not to. Bear-- onstpannen.

[ Dutch for relax. Bear instantly loses his alert pose and hops up onto the daybed with them, curling up happily in the warmth. ]

[she always thought if a dog were to be near her, it'd never like her. probably sensing something wrong with her. dogs did things like that, didn't they? but Bear isn't and so she takes it as a good thing.

she doesn't put her hands anywhere near him, though.]

I'll walk him if you do want someone to help. Gives me something to do until we get a club for me to dance at anyway. It'll be good exercise anyway.

[ Bear is a very normal dog, and to him Maria is a very normal woman. Harold wouldn't always be so free with making an offer for someone else to walk his dog -- he's a naturally suspicious person and he knows Bear will trust anyone he tells him to, which makes him cautious not to betray that trust -- but he feels nothing but honesty from Maria.

And, ultimately, he's really always just wanted to help. ]

I'll have to introduce you to Mr. Reese first, or he may think you've stolen my dog, [ he realizes. It could be a humorous comment, except for how John would react to the idea that someone's stolen Bear from Harold...

Thinking of that possible scenario, he assures her, ] He's stoic, but he's completely trustworthy. John will help you if you're ever in danger.

[ She'd seemed nervous about that earlier, so Harold wants to offer her a possible protector; and maybe it's telling that he slips immediately from Mr. Reese to John from one sentence to the next. Maria feels very like a number, someone they would help, and in that context he believes in John completely. ]

[to some degree, Maria knows he's doing this to be helpful. she had all but said she felt useless and he was trying to give her a purpose. as silly as it was, it did mean something to her. to have something as simple as walking a dog.

she wasn't even a dog person.

she looks to Bear again and yeah, she doesn't think she could steal that dog. but then Harold makes the comment that this John would help her if she needed it and she is taken aback by the statement. not offended, actually. pretty much the opposite. not even a full day ago, the only person in her entire sphere had told her he didn't want her. to someone now doing this. trying to be nice to her. it means more than she can say and she won't say it. it will sound very weird if she gets so broken up by someone being nice to her, giving some common courtesy.

so she just laughs because it's easier to joke and laugh.] Will he need my references? Afraid they might be hard to reach. But, thank you, Harold. For all this.

[ Harold is fairly confident at this point that Maria is more or less a typical human being, but given who else he's met around here he and John are both forced to consider that anyone they meet could be capable of anything. There's many present with abilities that are far beyond the norm. As a result, he doesn't think John would take chances if he saw someone else out walking with Bear.

And while it isn't an offer Harold would make to everyone, he feels keenly the importance of someone needing a purpose. Just having something to do that means something can be all a person needs to go from sleeping under a bridge to sleeping in a bed. Harold does in all truthfulness need someone else to help him exercise Bear, so that's not exaggerated at all, either. ]

I just need to vouch for you, [ he informs her, a little dry as he matches her effort at humor. ] You're welcome, but really, I do need help with Bear.

Sometimes if I sit at the computer for too long he starts chewing on the books.

Aw, poor thing. He wants attention. Don't you, boy? [she asks Bear. she hasn't pet him or tried to anyway. one doesn't touch a dog they don't know yet and so she's let him be.

she looks back to Harold.]

He should be your top priority. Obviously. [she'll keep throwing jokes at Harold. he handles them well.]

[ Harold shoots back a long-suffering look, but he sets down his tea to give Bear an indulgent scratch around the collar, which he responds to by panting happily. He suddenly goes from being an intimidating toothy guard dog to a friendly family pet with the petting. ]

He's a military working dog, [ he informs her wryly. If Maria might be walking him, Harold can afford to tell her more about Bear. ] I didn't actually intend to get a dog, much less one with such high exercise requirements. Mr. Reese foisted him on me.

[ Harold had not been happy at first, but it's probably obvious his sentiments had changed by how doting he is scratching Bear at this exact moment. ]

He was concerned about my safety, I think.

[the happy good boy didn't seem like much of a military dog.] He retired? Though I guess in the end, he's still a dog with dog needs. Like you loving him. [he seems so happy with Harold and it is nice to see. Harold obviously loves the dog.]

I don't think you mind having him around. Isn't it nice, though? To know somebody out there cares. Right, Bear?

[ He'd prefer she went back to the innuendo instead of the direct feelings talk. Just because it's true doesn't mean she needs to say it out loud; there's a courtesy in letting others keep their illusion of distance.

Or maybe it's just a courtesy to Harold specifically. He looks disgruntled, but he doesn't stop petting Bear. ]

I've come around, [ he says like that's in any evident doubt. ] I wouldn't call him retired so much as reassigned. Mr. Reese recovered him from some... unfortunate circumstances, [ he phrases diplomatically, ] and now his job is looking after me.

[the dog has a tragic backstory...

it makes her give a sympathetic look to Bear.] Poor thing. We all have our stories to tell, hm? Especially you, Harold. [she smiles.] You need a guard dog?

[important people needed something like a dog to watch after them. he did say he worked with computers and that meant he was smart. he must know something. not that it must matter here.]

[ Being owned by white nationalists is a very tragic backstory. Bear is doing much better now.

Harold had realized the natural next step to his admission was asking why he needs a guard dog, but he's given up on the idea of being completely unremarkable while he's here. He'd just like to keep certain critical details to himself. For his own part, he thinks of himself as thoroughly unimportant, and wishes everyone else would do the same. ]

Mr. Reese and I like to help people where we can. Sometimes that makes us enemies, [ he says dourly, ] and I dislike carrying weapons.

You really have a story, don't you? [much like everybody does she supposes. but Harold was very secretive and she wondered what his was. some people had certainly held back but not all. some people had been very liberal with their information. but considering the tea and how Harold had reacted, it was easy to see he was secretive.

but so was she so what could she say?]

Still, you're a nice guy, aren't you? Helping out innocents, saving dogs, and making sure I don't drink suspicious tea.

Let's not give me too much credit. Kindness to stray dogs and preventing a lone woman from being drugged seems a bare minimum expectation.

[ Harold doesn't take compliments well and he brushes this one off with dry humor. He also does have a story, one he is not inclined to share, partly from a natural propensity for secrecy and partly for self-protection. It's not something he's proud of; Harold has a healthy sense of humility. ]

[everybody is full of secrets. Maria certainly isn't without hers and she knows people here are much the same.]

Hey now, for some people that is a low bar they can't even get over. So give yourself some credit, alright? I appreciate it, though, Harold. I don't forget things easily and I won't forget today.

[ She's so persistent, he gets honestly a little flustered. Harold doesn't noticeably flush, exactly, but he does withdraw from petting Bear and start pointlessly fussing with the tea things, ostensibly cleaning up. Part of the problem with being such a polite person is he doesn't like to directly refute compliments, he just wants to slide around them, and she isn't letting him. ]

Yes, all right. I'll credit myself with rising above some of the lower rungs on the ladder of human decency.

[ Harold doesn't dislike himself per se or suffer from negative self-image, he just gets intensely uncomfortable being noticed. It could be called shy, except he hasn't used his real name in forty years, which probably means he should use a different word at this point. ]

I can at least say most others I've met here have been the same. [ He was concerned at first, legitimately freaked by the idea that others might be taking the competitive set up seriously, but no one seems to be doing that. Thank god. ]

[she notices this makes him uncomfortable. she can't really understand why. after all, she's not flirting with him. even her innuendos had gotten her eyerolls at best. but genuine nice things? he clearly didn't know how to handle that.

there was probably a lot to assume but she didn't know if she could reliably do that. if someone as kind as Harold deserved that. so she would try not to. but he probably deserved to hear nice things and that she could do.]

There, that wasn't so hard, now was it? [and to ease up on him some, she smiles.] Not everybody has been so bad, no.

November Mingle

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: passive suicidal ideation

(no subject)

wrapping this up?