etrayalogs | JANUARY MINGLE

Entry tags:

JANUARY MINGLE

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: January 17th - January 23rd
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers and some new construction!
NOTES\WARNINGS:

⏵ arrival ⏴
Welcome to Etraya!

Arrival goes as expected - characters awaken on hospital beds and are offered an explanation of their situation: that they have arrived in the city of Etraya, and they are their world's only hope. They are welcome to wander the hospital if they would like to - the upper floors are mostly empty, full of pristine hallways and numerous rooms filled with supplies, cots, and things one would expect from a relatively average 21st-century hospital.

A coat rack is situated by the doors leading out of the hospital, covered in warm clothing that fits the new arrivals just right - whether it's to their preferred style or not is something else entirely. Some of them appear normal enough. Others? Well. Looks like someone was trying to improve on last month's designs.

Outside the windows, the grass is covered in a couple of inches of loosely packed snow.

We hope you enjoy your stay.

⏵ passion for fashion ⏴

As the newcomers find themselves leaving the hospital as per their usual arrival, they will find that not too far from it is a small boutique. Newly added, just as they have been, though they lack the context to know this. Companion bots will encourage them to go in and meet the particularly unique bot inside, dressed to the nines in line with the fashion the boutique itself is offering. While small, it's clearly been decorated to emphasize the loose era and taste of the particular fashion it's advertising. The building itself is also petite, and made to feel more personal rather than a commercial experience. It has a single dressing room, and outside of it has an area with mirrors where one might take in their lovely visage from nearly all angles. There is a little waiting area with seating in the front, for those who are not being molded through Theobold's vision, or simply waiting for whoever is.

The tastes and aforementioned era of this little establishment is decidedly Victorian, with a bold splash of neon trimming, cog-like adornments, and other accessories that brighten up the otherwise neutral fabrics typically used in the style of dress. Theobold, as he has named himself and will not let anyone forget, has taken to a three-piece suit, a deep emerald in color, with a black vest, and matching black gloves.

He will take it upon himself to judge each person's attire (which he will unabashedly hate), then restyle them into something more along his tastes (even if it takes him a while, he will find something you don't ruin). There are, of course, many different combinations to pick from, all hearkening to a very loud style of dress that seems as much neon as it is punk or steam. One might even name it steampunk with a splash of neon. Neon Steampunk? Something like that.

An interesting combination to say the least, Theobold insists as much.

This is, of course, not simply limited to newcomers, though they will likely be exposed to this boutique more quickly than the others. Any who come near the general area of the hospital (thus the boutique) will find themselves being encouraged by the other bots to come inside, and they will likewise be judged and restyled to Theobold's tastes—which are as bright as they are bold. He really doesn't take no for an answer, though he can't truly stop anyone from leaving any more than a pushy grandmother fussing over her grandchild's clothes might.

He has obviously discovered his passion, why not indulge him?

⏵ trending or treading ⏴

After enjoying the privilege of being restyled by Theobold, he will also insist that you take the outfit for a spin around the city! See what people say, take note of how many looks you catch, how many eyes are on you. He wants to hear about it as well, clearly to validate his own artistry, and who can blame him? Does not every artist strive to hear a little bit of praise for their hard work? Do they not yearn for recognition from the public? Theobold may be a bot, but he is also an artist honing his craft! His boutique is not above critique, though he hopes the critique isn't too harsh...

Should one indulge him, telling about what others thought, he will gladly gift the outfit to the wearer. A humble act of his endless generosity! Or if they fancy another outfit of their own taste from his boutique, then that will suffice as well. Even if it breaks his heart that you don't like the outfit. No, no. It's fine, really. It's perfectly okay. Everyone has their tastes, and yours just happens to stab him in his mechanical heart.

He'll get over it. In time. Probably.

⏵ leaving tracks ⏴

Companion bots have taken to building train tracks, as well as what appears to be a train station, in the South Eastern island of Etraya. The area is, for the most part, blocked off from Etrayans. After all, it is a construction zone, and the companion bots are ever vigilant with safety. At least they try to be. However, if people wish to lend their aid in the construction, well, they won't necessarily stop them. However they will assure them that they are not in need of assistance, and might intermittently remind those especially helpful Etrayans of that fact.

Those who wish to simply watch the construction may do so, but nothing especially interesting is going on beyond the mystery of what this these tracks and the station might be for. Besides a train, of course. After all, since when has there been any mention of a train? Asking the companion bots about it will yield little results. They won't be able to give any further details besides the obvious: when this is done, it will be for a train. It seems even they might not know the full extent of what this entails, or maybe they cannot say.

Regardless the reason of their lack of explanation, it seems patience might be the key to the answer.

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Some may notice that in the area Gorgug's friend had gone exploring outside of the environmental bubble, there is a message written on a massive piece of fabric, which is tied to two large rebar poles. The message is in an alien language, but the earpiece will automatically translate it: DID YOU THINK YOU WERE THE ONLY ONES?

On the bottom of the fabric are four vertical lines. Every Friday, a vertical line becomes crossed through with a horizontal one.

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

Fabian is so surprised when he notices someone among the group of people working on the tracks that is definitely not a companion bot. Not that he's tried to join in himself, given that helping the bots is just about the last thing he wants to do - but trying to approach the tracks made it pretty clear to him that the bots didn't really want them around.

So the fact that they let someone help, even just a little bit-- It surprises him.

Of course it means he's going to approach the guy the moment Vander steps off to the side to take a break. Fabian's one eye is wide, but mostly curious, and he doesn't seem intimidated by Vander's size at all when he approaches him. Fabian sounds like he's just casually speaking up to any random person here, really.

"Did they just let you join in, man?"

Vander covered the end of his cigarette with a hand as he lit a match and ignited the tip, shaking the remainder of the match in the air to silence the flame. He noted the individual approaching him, and the other man seemed curious rather than all manner of other approaches one could have between strangers.

The corner of his lips quirk in amusement even as he pulled his butt from his lips and breathed out a stream of smoke. "Well, I didn't exactly give them a choice on the matter," he remarked with an equally casual shrug of his shoulders. "Most don't say no to me for long when I want to do something."

That was his advantage. Vander had learned very young how to use his physical presence to move people and now bots to letting him have his way. He had allowed aspects of the skill to atrophy the last few years, but practice made perfect.

"Are you looking to join in the activities? I'm going back after I finish this smoke."

Though the young man seems to consider it for a moment, he then shakes his head.

"I don't really care to help them. They have screwed me over before in the past, so I can't exactly say I trust them anymore."

It would explain the look Fabian is throwing towards the bots in the distance. It isn't exactly pure hate or anything that intense, but he does look kind of annoyed by the very sight of these things moving around..

"It's why I was so surprised to see one of us helping them."

"Screwed over how so?"

Vander wasn't entirely looking to help, though he had been taught the proper way to lay track. It meant he also had opportunity to lay it incorrectly to see if the bots would actually scan over what he had done and make corrections. He expected it would increase time and that might lead to answers.

He noted the look and made a point of not sharing it. He was new enough to be suspicious, but otherwise, he had no ill will to his captures just yet. He needed more intel to be properly angry.

"Well, I know how to lay track. It seems to bother them more that I'm here too."

"We had to go to a different place for a mission once. These things were trying to restrict us much more there. They tried to keep us from going out at night, tried to keep us from finding out what was going on in that weird place."

The young man slowly shakes his head as he says those words.

"What happened to the people who did try to sneak out wasn't pretty. And I can tell-- I had to fight those things myself too. They did not hesitate to try and kill us." There's a slight pause. "Of course these aren't the same as the ones there, but it sure showed me what they could be capable of if Aurora gave them the order."

"Obviously trying to see if we will listen to orders provided to us," he remarked, though it didn't seem like it was a situation that he would do well in anymore. He disliked being trapped inside, and this place seemed to constantly provide incentives to urge them to engage so far.

"Ah well, everyone and everything thing is capable of atrocities while in certain situations." Still, this was insightful to know that Aurora was not above killing them, and if what he had been told was true, something would be lost. Was that how this place actually planned on controlling them?

"I'm still willing to put myself at risk if it generates some answers."

Even though Fabian kind of seemed like he was ready to angrily rant about this topic for ages - and he could! - he's instead fully quiet as Vander talks. He doesn't even attempt to interrupt the man. Instead he just silently stares at him, actually seeming to take in what he's saying.

Maybe it's since the other's answer is a little surprising to Fabian. In a good way. He's seen so many adults not taking this situation seriously at all, but the stuff the other is saying here seems to indicate it's different for him.

That means he's got Fabian's attention.

"If it helps, I don't think these here will kill you." Though he does says it with the sort of tone that leaves some room for the alternative. He'll never fully trust these companion bots. He can't.

There's a slight pause, and then the young man asks, staring with his one eye: "Aren't you worried about dying in this place?"

Ah well, Vander was willing to take the risk, though he was currently in agreement that the worker bots did not appear to be intent on driving him off or bringing him physical harm. When and if that would change he had no idea, but it was worth testing the boundaries of that where he could.

"Not at the moment, no," he replied with a small shrug of his shoulders. "Thankfully, I've been told on numerous occasions that I'm also too thick headed to know when to die, so I still like my chances if they turn."

It wasn't smart to trust this place; he hadn't been provided evidence that anything even remotely close to their self-interests were being represented. No, he knew what oppression felt like, and this simply had a silver lining of apparent niceties to it.

"I'm worried about losing what dying costs, but dying itself? No."

To be fair, Vander's attitude about this isn't completely foreign to Fabian. He's put himself into the line of fire so often that he gets that sometimes something feels like it's worth potentially dying for. Or at least taking the risk. And if dying in this place means that you return to life anyway - then it's true there is nothing to fear about the death in the first place, only about what you might lose.

"I think you should be worried about that, yes." Fabian seems to agree, a thoughtful frown on his face. "I don't have experience with what happens when you die here myself, but.. Considering the sort of attitude our captors here have had towards us, I would not put it past them to take something vital from us when we are revived. Something that might break us if we lose it."

Surely even a tough guy like Vander has that.

Anyone has that, Fabian thinks. And it's not a great thought - not when it can just be taken from them like that.

"I expect everyone should be worried about that. After all, it doesn't sound like the cost is often physical," he remarked conversationally. He had, of course, looked into it perhaps deeper than initial curiosity might require, but he had good reason given the people from his world who were also here. The likelihood they might try to kill him was higher than average. "No, and it doesn't seem like a polite question to ask on the network either."

He snorted softly at the insinuation, and he simply shrugged his shoulders. Truth be told, he'd lost everything already, so what more was there to lose? Jinx, he supposed. However, she had a network and wasn't the little girl that needed to chatter at him while they drew on the floor of the bar.

"Some have more to lose than others."

...

The young man stares at Vander for a moment. At first it kind of looks like Fabian is trying to figure something out, his one eye squinting a little, but then it fades into something else as he seems to reach some sort of conclusion. It almost makes Fabian look just a touch more sad.

"I hope you are not talking about yourself there, man."

Sure, in this place it's kind of a good thing if you have nothing to lose - especially since it means you can take more risks.

On the other hand, the idea of someone who has very little to lose-- Now that's just sad to Fabian. It's why he speaks with a tone that sounds closer to sympathy than the annoyance he was using before when he was talking about this place.

"No one should have to live that way."

He was new, hadn't laid down roots per say, and so his willingness to take risks meant that there weren't particularly people who would care what happened to him. Janna knew some would relish his downfall, probably even strategize for it over and over again until there was little left.

"And if I am?"

He had spent the last few years taking few risks until he was forced into the position to do so or lose everything. Too little too late to return to form as he had ended up losing most people important to him along the way. He supposed that coming here was a second chance to make things right, to step up after too long languishing.

"Ah well, life has a way of turning our mistakes back on us. Perhaps this place is an opportunity to make amends."

"I don't.."

He starts, but then suddenly stops.

Fabian looks awkward, like he started saying something that he suddenly realized he's not entirely sure he wants to say. Still, after that slight moment he decides to press on anyway.

"I don't think you can make amends to someone by doing the right thing for other people entirely."

His tone doesn't sound harsh as he says it. There's something difficult in it, but it doesn't sound pointed. Instead Fabian stares off into the distance, like he's thinking about something else entirely.

".. unless that person is also here, of course."

Well, he could try. He had to try because otherwise the deaths of Mylo and Claggor would weigh on him for a very long time. He couldn't explain it, not with two months of grief still riding him, but he had people who would expect that he could and would make the sacrifice. After all, inaction had brought him here, hadn't it?

"Ah well, the people here don't expect much from me. I simply have to expect more from myself." He had to to prove to himself he was up to this.

"I have someone here that I care about a lot, but they are... different from what I remember."

There's a lot he could say even about that first point the other is making, really, but it seems that what comes after draws the young man's attention even more. He blinks with his one eye at Vander, staring at the other for a second before he asks:

"Different how?"

There's a second, and then he adds: "Are they from a different time than you? It happens here. None of my friends remember as much as I do either."

Though it does seem like Vander's problem is a little bit bigger than just someone not remembering a few things, judging by what he's saying.

"About six or seven years older," he replied simply. There was a huge difference between an eleven-year-old and an eighteen-year-old as he was discovering. Those were key years to miss out on, especially when one considered everything that had happened.

"She's not a kid anymore, and it's like I'm learning a new person entirely." He was furthest back in the timeline, which was discombobulating. His input was less relevant as it turned out, and yet there was so much information he held that no one else did.

Everyone from his world had interesting dynamics. There was little, if anything, he could do about it.

...

Well, there sure is an implication in those words. Or so Fabian thinks, anyway. Some people might be a little bit more hesitant to ask this so directly, but even though Fabian usually means well, he does lack quite some social etiquette. Which means nothing holds him back from asking:

"Is she your kid?"

Because it kind of sounds like Vander is talking about this girl like she is his daughter. Even if he's not using those direct words.

"I don't know anyone who has their parents here."

"Yeah, she is," he confirmed without hesitation. It might not be by blood, but that didn't matter where he was from. He had been apart of her life since she was born. When he had taken her in, he had taken all parental responsibility.

"Maybe she's the fortunate one. I won't speak for her, but for me, it's been... interesting to be around her again."

Everyone grew to be different people after all, and their circumstances could remake them from what they had been. Still, he picked out all the similarities as well and he appreciated her even more for the mix of both.

"I take it you don't have anyone from your world here?"

The young man doesn't seem to question the other's claim in the slightest. It's not like he has any reason for it - especially when he doesn't even know who the other's kid is. Still, the fact that apparently some people do have their parents around in this place certainly is a fact that he will make sure to remember.

Even if his attention is drawn away right now by the question. Fabian shakes his head.

"No, two of my other party members are here." Three were here, but he doesn't like thinking much about Adaine leaving. Thinking about what could have happened to her, where she could be now, if she's okay. "But papa and mama aren't here. Neither are any of their parents."

It was good that people had those they could associate with and understand them from their world present here. It seemed to make integrating easier from what he had seen, especially with the oddities that were this place and the mission that they had been handed. Perhaps more skin in the game meant that people took it more seriously? Or perhaps just united in purpose?

"That's good, right? I assume all three of you are united in this mission that we're supposed to be on?" He nodded his head, and he did wonder how other parents from other worlds took care of their children, even grown ones. There had to be similarities, right? "Do you miss them?"

There's the slightest, slightest moment of hesitation before Fabian answers. It's a blink and you miss it sort of moment, but right after it he's already shrugging a little bit.

"I am my own man. Papa is in hell and mama is on vacation, so it's not as if they were around either if I were in my world right now." There's no hint of any special thoughts or feelings about that as he speaks now either. He can't speak for Riz or Gorgug, but he'll say this much for himself. "But I imagine the remaining three members of our party must be rather worried about our sudden disappearance, so I want to get back to our own world as soon as possible for their sake."

Vander picked up on the hesitation, though he couldn't claim to know Fabian well enough to understand the meaning it fully. He suspected that it had to do with parentage, and when wasn't that complicated?

"Well, you seem all grown up, though in hell?" It occurred to him that he didn't know what happened for people who were alive and taken to this place. Did life carry on without them? Did their time as they knew it freeze? Did it pull them out and it was like they didn't exist? It was all the kind of fantasy stories that people considered when at the bottom on their cups he supposed.

"Understandable. Have you tried requesting going back to Aurora?"

"No," he huffs. "There's no way she's going to do it anyway. I haven't spoken much with her, but what I have has been wildly unproductive."

Mostly the stuff he's caught on to from hearing about his friends talking to Aurora, but-- still. It seems to have firmly settled the teen's opinion into thinking it's generally useless to talk to her, and therefore not doing it.

The very thought makes him look a little grumpy, but Fabian moves on from it. It's way better to talk about his father than about stupid Aurora, in his opinion.

"And-- yes, in hell. I have visited him there, so I know he's there. He probably hasn't even realized that I'm not in Spyre anymore, honestly. There's so much for him to do down there."

"There's always time and opportunity to change your productivity level. Maybe she'd be impressed."

He didn't believe that Aurora was actually willing to listen to many requests when it came to bringing people otherwise people would have spoken about the possibility. If that was the case, he probably would have already made the move to see if he could see his other daughter and even his sons again.

Aurora had, after all, trapped them all here for better or worse. They were her playthings. He could see that, but still, for someone with nothing to go back to, it was a second opportunity to live longer even a false life.

"But he's your dad. Shouldn't he notice if you're gone?"

Fabian frowns.

Not in an angry way - okay, he seems just a little bit annoyed, but it's more the default teenage levels of annoyance rather than anything directly aimed at Vander over what he's saying right now - but more in a way that seems kind of confused instead.

"What do you mean?" Like Fabian somehow really doesn't understand the other's question, or what Vander is trying to say here. "Why should he?"

(no subject)

cantilevers - 2025-05-31 16:22 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

JANUARY MINGLE

ii

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)