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

[tinflower]

[ ... ] Okay.

[ He answers her with a voice that's light, would border on cheery without the intention of fun. Turns on his foot and resumes walking, and knows inside of himself: oh no, I stepped in it.

And as he walks, he wonders: should he apologise? Say that she isn't weird at all? But it starts to feel wrong and too late, like it's bringing up something she obviously doesn't want to speak about, when he truly hadn't meant anything by it. But maybe she's sensitive about these things, and it's not like he didn't use to feel bad about being a weirdo. Actually, don't most people dislike it?

But he got caught up in himself, and now it's getting far too late to say anything with each quiet step. If he should be saying anything, it's to fill up the silence between them, but as he looks upon the encroaching café, Gorgug doesn't get the chance to when he remembers something semi-important. A kind of big deal about hanging out at a café, and saying that it's a thing that he does, when actually- ]

Um... Heather? [ He slows them to a stop again, the building of the café near. They've been talking about things that people keep to themselves, that they don't share, and-- none of this has any connection to that. But his hand feels awkward in hers, has for a while, but now he's truly wondering if to let it go; as he lowers his head, doesn't meet her eye. ] There's actually... something I should tell you, I think.

[ingestion]

( it became clear that the mood around them had become awkward, stilted even as they made their way closer to the cafe. she hated the thought that her own fears and insecurities had led to this but she was still on the fence on who she could truly confide in.

so she remained silent, not thinking much about what he had said or how he may have felt about the entire thing. if only they could just say what they were thinking-

they'd realize there was no animosity between them. she wasn't angered or put off by his comments, she was simply too wrapped up in her own thought. so much that when he slowed down to stop them and spoke, she nearly fell forward. instead the sudden halt caused her hand to slip out of his. )

Oh-

What is it?

( now this was strange and unexpected. )

[tinflower]

[ His hand is free, and it doesn't feel like relief; he might've let go of Heather's first, if he hadn't caused it to happen unintentionally. But now he has both of his hands to flex at his sides, the scarf around his head that he dips his chin against as he keeps his gaze down on the snowy ground. ]

...when I told you that I go to the café, it wasn't that I didn't, but I. I haven't actually been doing it for a while after I freaked out and tried destroying most of Etraya.

[ His voice loses volume as he speaks those last words, though he otherwise tries to be composed, casual about the whole thing, about something that he's only realising now is probably not an event he should be casual about. Or not tell people about? He should've told Heather, maybe. He should've brought this up before. ]

I think I...told you about the mission where an infection went around, and it made people lose their minds, right? That's what happened, but... I get kinda nervous. About going into places where people hang out. People tell me it's alright...

[ But he's still nervous. He's still guilty. And now he feels dumb, making such a stupid mistake as to suggest a place that he gets stupid about. ]

I got caught up on hanging out with you...

[ That I forgot this pretty important detail. ]

[ingestion]

( the atmosphere around them began to wane towards a more somber vibe, and as the cool air began to nip at heather's face, she remained silent and moved to stand in front of gorgug. she looked up at him, eyes watching him carefully as he had spoke. it was starting to make sense from her perspective-

it seemed to her he was having difficulties expressing himself and perhaps just wanted to confide in heather too. in asking her to share, perhaps he was trying to feel less guilt about the whole thing. this was how she felt anyways, it could be far from the truth.

but as gorgug shared the details, she couldn't help but wonder if he had hurt anyone in his rampage. if he hadn't, well she couldn't quite be annoyed or dismayed with him. )

Oh...I guess that makes sense, sorry....I guess I got caught up in it too and didn't think to even ask if that was something you really wanted to do.

( she knew it wasn't her fault, but she couldn't help but try and make him feel a bit better. it was difficult for her sometimes to be more gentle about things, but she was trying. even if they weren't necessarily close yet. )

Would you rather do something else or go somewhere else? We can talk more about this if you want...

[tinflower]

[ Oh, no.

It's bad enough that he feels dumb for forgetting such an obvious thing about himself, but when Heather turns it around and makes it a fault of her own--it hurts Gorgug more than what his own stupidity can do to his own brain. There's a jolt inside him, a need to fix this--his mouth ready to go the moment Heather starts speaking, even if he doesn't have the words ready. But he can't make her feel at fault. ]

No, we-- I wanted to hang with you! It's nothing to do with you-- we can go to the rec room. At the apartments? It's not you, it's me. I wasn't trying to mess with you, or-- make you feel bad--

[ Is he fixing this? Is he doing right? He's looking at her and then looking away with shame, his hands scrunching up inside his hoodie as, even when he glances at her, his head hangs. ]

I'm sorry. I keep making it weird.

[ He keeps doing this, doesn't he? This is it, his problem. ]

[ingestion]

( there's no changing a person and heather knows this very well, so all she can do is try her best to offer comfort to someone she has started to view as a friend. in fact, she wanted to be more than just acquaintances-

she genuinely wanted to make best friends with gorgug even if their time here were to be cut short. he seemed like the kind of person who could benefit from that, and while there was some selfishness to it [like having genuine allies to rely on], she felt it was only right.

so as she watched him become rather down about the whole thing, all she could do was smile softly at him. )

Nah....don't worry about it. Let's go to the rec room then, no need to put our plans on pause.

( to show him that she wasn't taking it as weird or anything, she held her hand out to him once more. )

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug spots the being extended from the periphery of his vision, a movement that makes him glance, then see what it is he's looking at. There's a warmth to his cheeks, darkening the green tone of his skin, and he feels stupid about-- well, feeling stupid. ]

Okay-- okay. [ But he's speaking up, working past it. His head still hanging, but he lifts it again to look at Heather properly. Even if his gaze stays shy. ] Thank you.

[ But even if it does, he takes a hand out from his hoodie and gently takes a hold of her hand, pressing his fingers around the back of her hand. Careful about his grip as always.

When you've grown up breaking things, you have to be mindful not to break your friends. The people you like. ]

going to start ending this one ♥

[ingestion]

( there was some comfort in knowing that he didn't outright reject her hand, or reject being comforted in the only way she knew how-

by showing him that she accepted him as is, perceived flaws and all. he had been very kind to her from the start, and even if he was rather stiff and awkward about the whole thing, he was far more human than she had encountered in a long time. so of course she would be okay with what he wanted to share with her or what he didn't want to. she wouldn't push him to share exactly what happened, but she would be there for him to lend a ear or two.

so as their hands reunited, she looked up at him to make sure he was ready to head out. )

You don't need to thank me, it's what friends do.

( even if he felt things were a bit, do this for me and I'll do this for you. he was now her friend, regardless. )