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

Cool.

[ Riz straightens up, looking as eager and ready to listen as an obedient schoolkid. The fact that Vincent maintains the veracity of his said isn't alarming, per se, but it's worrisome; Riz's relationship with gods is as such that he has no reason to doubt the truth of Vincent's words, but he certainly has reason to believe that Vincent may or may not be part of a cult.

Story of Riz's life. Everywhere he looks, there's a cult or two lurking right around the corner. Apparently that's a mainstay of organized religion in which belief very much does give you magical powers. ]

Is everything too broad? [ He takes a sip out of his own personal thermos. ] I'd like to know your God's name, and what her domain is. And I'd like to know why you chose to follow her, if it was a choice and not just something you were born into.

Everything is too broad. There are some practices I don't feel normal people would be all right with hearing.

[ Vincent blinks - that was a little too honest. However, it is true; he doesn't think most people would be fine with brainwashing or torture but that is part of what they do. ]

Her name? It is the Holy Woman or, for us, just God. Her domain? Everything... although I suppose originally, it was the sun. [ He points above his head. ] As for why I chose to follow Her, hm... I was born into it like many others of the Order. However, I also left briefly to experience life outside.

[ Flicking his wrist, he gestures around. ] Society was, as I assume with other universes, as it always is. It is a rat race where everyone is scrambling to be a little better than the person beside them. There is some camaraderie to be had, yes, but overall, there's no happiness to be found in such a way of living.

[ Shrugging, he holds his hands out in surrender. ] I chose to return home and return to the society that we were creating... one of quiet ritual and prayer. God is real and has Her power... the land that we worship has a fog over it...

[ Resting his hands down, he folds one over the other. ] It's a perfect place to live for those who have grown weary of the world but still have something - someone - they believe in.

Oh, I'm all right with hearing anything, [ Riz is swift to reassure Vincent. He slurps at his own thermos of coffee, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. ] I've heard about all sorts of things. I'm a pretty hard guy to surprise.

[ Cults are old hat by now. Vincent's cult is new and exciting to hear about, but he has a feeling that his poker face can remain intact throughout the conversation. ]

So, the Holy Woman is a goddess of the sun... y'know, where I'm from, the Sun God is one of the most powerful gods out there too.

[ Interesting. The sun god is different where Vincent is, or perhaps... perhaps it's that the Holy Woman wishes to usurp him and is some sort of lesser god, perhaps of sunshine, or daylight, or some other more minute facet of the sun. More interesting is Vincent's whole deal.

Poor guy. Being born into a religion can be tough stuff. Not everyone can be a Kristen Applebees. ]

So... you live in some sort of commune, or something? More of a collectivist kind of society, or like -- a monastery, maybe. [ He laces his fingers in front of him, prim and proper. ] Did you bring anyone from the outside back with you?

I suppose it would be difficult to surprise you. [ He tilts his head slightly as he looks Riz over.

His mouth quirks into a pleased smile to hear gods or goddesses of the sun are the most powerful. He certainly feels that way when he thinks of Her. ]

It is only natural that they would be.

[ He shakes his head. ] No. We lived among the society of other people, but told to not interact with them overly much for they were heathens and fraternization would damn our souls for eternity. [ Tapping his fingers around the cup, his gaze becomes far away as he recalls those warnings. ] Of course, I know that isn't true but there are those in my organization that still believe it to be.

[ Vincent breathes out a laugh through his nose before he takes another drink of tea. ]

I didn't bring others back with me, but I was able to convert others once I took what control I could of my religion. [ A sigh. ] It took ten long years to rebuild everything... and yet they had so many complaints about how I did things.

[ Clicking his tongue: ] Ungrateful lot. But... it's fine. Even religion isn't a monolith, everyone believes differently... everyone worships a little differently... and believe those that are running things are doing it poorly.

There's no pleasing everyone completely, but everyone can find solace and comfort in faith...

[ Interesting. Vincent is a moderate cultist. Or at least, he doesn't believe interaction with others will necessarily doom him to a life of eternal suffering (though having been to Hell, Riz has to begrudgingly admit that it's not quite as bad as some Helioic worshippers seem to believe), which is useful for his survival in a place like this, away from his comrades.

Though maybe moderate isn't the right word. Maybe what Vincent wants is to convert others to his religion, and for it to gain more power, shift his faith from one practiced in solitude to one that can give his goddess more power... or maybe Riz is just a little traumatized from Freshman Year. ]

Wait, did you stage, like, a religious coup? [ Riz perks up with interest, even the large, bat-like ears on either side of his head twitching and flicking curiously. ] What'd you change? How'd you figure your goddess wanted it changed?

Nothing like that, really. [ The tea cup is rolled in his hands. ] The religious order was already in shambles. I merely had the financial means to return it to its former glory... and build a community for everyone again.

I attempted to bring us out of the age of insanity. We would be secluded and commit ourselves to ritual... prayer and veneration to Her. [ He points above his head. ] Creating a community outside of the society we came to live in, and truly cut off from the world. [ Ah, Paradise.

His head cocks to the side; he sneers at nothing in particular. ] But everyone has so many complaints about how the top does anything. [ He clicks his tongue. ] I figure She wanted us to actually follow the Scripture instead of interpret it however we please to kill whoever we don't approve.

[ Vincent rolls his eyes. ] That behavior is the behavior of lunatics. [ A beat. ] Killing someone should be done because they've actually broken Scripture rules and not because you think they broke them.

[ He points his finger down at Riz's face. ] Fair, right?

[ Of course it comes down to money. It always does, doesn't it? It doesn't matter how old, how true, how faithful you are to your faith: it requires money to draw in new converts, to spread your word, to make it more compelling than Kristen Applebees and Craig hanging out alone in a basement. ]

Wha -- you're asking me? I'm not religious, man. I don't believe in religious killings at all. [ Maybe he should just lie to this guy... but he doesn't really want to. ] If we're working within the framework that it's necessary, then sure, I guess that's better in terms of consistency? But if it's like, hey, don't murder and rape people, then I'm on board with it, I guess.

[ A new age, with Father Vincent: now with more substantiated faith-based murder! ]

Do you have the Scripture here?

It's more or less that sort of thinking.

[ More or less. ]

No. [ Well.

He lifts his hand to press his index finger against his temple. ] It's here. [ Dropping his hand away, he offers a brief smile. ] Every member of the Order is tasked with memorizing the Scripture. Failure to do so is... [ His head tilts to the side. ] ... well, a punishable offense.

But hey, a person isn't going to die from it... how will you learn if you're dead?

[ He laughs to himself, wondering briefly why he's being so honest, but he doesn't think what he's saying is all that deranged, really. Isn't this how it is with other religions? ]

So you gotta memorize the whole thing? Intense.

[ Riz thinks he's doing a wonderful job at being objective and supportive without actually voicing his true feelings. The thing is, is that Kristen is one of his best friends, one of his favourite people in the entire world, but she'd had a leg up on the others; if she wasn't a lesbian, he's not sure she would have ever found the courage to leave the Church. And she'd gone hard on saving their souls at first.

What hope did a guy this far gone have? When he was in power, even? ]

So you're in favour of giving people a chance to learn before you... [ He draws one thumb across his neck. ] Are you interested in bringing this religion here?

[ He pauses. ]

In general. Not to me. I'm not interested in any of that religious stuff. I mean, I'm academically interested? But I've got my own gods already.

[ Barely. It's more cultural than anything else. ]

A bit.

[ He uses the back of his hand to lightly push his glasses up. Of course, the punishment was worse than just being killed. Starvation, beatings, and isolation were the typical ways to drill the Scripture into an Order member. Perhaps, the weakness in his body is because he never fully recovered from his teachings, but whatever -- ]

Yes. I also don't intend for them to suffer quite as much. [ Since many children died under such kind machinations. At the very least, Vincent is an evil people know. ] Scripture can be taught without punishment to the young, but if they grow older and remain ignorant, I don't think I can stand for it.

[ It reflects too poorly on him. He takes another sip of tea. ]

Yes, I am very interested. I even have those that I want to ask about it.

[ Oh well. ]

That's fine. You weren't one of those that I'm interested in -- at least, in this manner.

Oh. Should I be offended?

[ He squints his eyes for a moment, trying to decide. He doesn't want someone to indoctrinate him in a cult. Even if Vincent seems mainly harmless on the surface, he's obviously bad news, and it's clearly dangerous to get mixed up in all of that, especially if his goddess is actually real.

He's still offended, he decides. You don't have to want to go to the party to want to be invited, right? ]

Honestly, I doubt you'll have luck. Most people already have their own gods. Who... or, uh, what is it about people that makes you interested in recruiting them?

[ Vincent makes an "I dunno" sound at the question. ]

I find most people don't even have that much. [ But that's how he's come to see society in the long run. Godless people who don't have anything. ] What is about people that makes me want to recruit them? It comes down that they would be susceptible to teaching of the Order and God.

[ He gestures above their head. ] She isn't here but it's the thought that counts, I suppose. [ A brief smile. ] Curiosity is one thing. Usefulness is another. [ He holds his hand up. ] You're useful, don't worry. I consider you to be an ever shifting investment.

No, no, a person needs to be a bond not an investment. There has to be an emptiness inside of them that is waiting to be filled. One that they're not even aware of, but as you talk to them, as you interact with them, you can sense that they're longing for something just outside of their reach. [ He makes a gesture with his hand, curling his fingers. ] For whatever you are, Riz, you're not yet empty enough to be one I want.

If you do become so, I'll ask you to join us as well. [ A beat. ] That's why it's not a good or bad thing. It's just you're not where you need to be yet.

Edited 2025-03-17 05:41 (UTC)

Traditional recruitment techniques, [ Riz mutters under his breath. ] Classic. Got it.

[ Vincent is being compelled to speak. If Riz hadn't been certain of it before, he's certain of it now; no cultist worth their salt will phrase their recruitment tactics quite so baldly. He's not sure how he feels about being labeled as a "shifting investment", so to speak, but he's not worried for himself either. Vincent strikes him as dangerous to a certain sort of person, but that sort of person isn't Riz, Riz who lives by his skepticism and sharp, doubtful mind, Riz who has never managed to successfully accept a comforting platitude in his life, Riz who is so consumed with the hunt that he ignores even the good things in his life in favour of spiraling alone, him and his conspiracy board.

So, no. He's not a good mark for a cult. He is not empty; he is so full that it threatens to eat him alive. Others are not so lucky. Who else does he know that could fall prey to this? Who would fit that expectation? He's not sure. And what warning would he give them, anyway? There is a man, and he wishes to restart his cult, but the cult is made up of him and only him. He isn't dangerous yet. But he can be. Or maybe one day, he'll figure out it was all bullshit, not just the bits he didn't like. ]

I'll never be a good fit for recruitment, [ he says bluntly. ] I'm never going to be enough of a... a vessel for that sort of thing. That's just not who I am.

[ He is too young to be so firm in who he is, perhaps, but nobody has ever accused Riz of not being headstrong. ]

But so far -- so far, your worship has been alone. Right? That's the traditional way of worship for a lot of people too.

[ Vincent doesn't quite catch what he's muttering, but does get the last bit. ]

So long as you understand.

[ He mulls over the response that Riz doesn't believe he's going to be a good fit for the cult. The goblin seems to believe that he'll never be a vessel for the Scripture. His mouth twists in thought but he decides to allow him that belief. ]

I'm sure I thought the same one once.

[ He blinks. ]

It's been alone, yes. Rituals are usually best with others, but I'm doing what I can.

I know who I am.

[ Riz says it with the sort of certainty that only one who is truly young can have. He doesn't know who he is, not really, but he's inexperienced enough to believe that the boy sitting across from Vincent is the person he is and is going to be, forever and for always. That cock-suredness of his makes him a better target than he knows.

If he's lucky, he'll never have to find out. ]

Were you not born into it? Or did you doubt and then choose to come back?

[ If that's the case, that's fucking wild. It's rare he's heard of someone courting doubt and eventually turning away from her sharp embrace. ]

Of course.

[ His tone isn't quite dismissive as much as it's yielding. He accepts that answer for now because Riz isn't yet as empty as he needs him to be in order to convince him to join the cult.

However, he will eventually have to start converting people. Why? Because God gave him a second chance at life and to repent for his mistakes. If he doesn't do anything, he's bound to forever wander in Hell. ]

I was born into it. However, some things happened and I had to leave. Lunatics took over my religion and drove it into the ground... yet those that were in charge refused to acknowledge their wrongs.

[ His shoulders shrug. ] Unlike some psychopaths, I don't tell others they're going to go to Hell. That's up for God to decide. I can only say that they've broken Scripture and doctrine acting the way that they did. [ A faint smile. ] It'll be up to someone else to decide what their punishment should be.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

November Mingle

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cw: cult indoctrination and torture

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cw: CULT NONSENSE

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