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

Right. What we experience make our reactions nuanced, but what we feel is also a factor. Experiences could be fabricated for something with an “artificial” mind, in the same way you could tell someone that something happened, and their mind could acclimate to that as a “truth,” but feelings are more complicated. You can’t program a feeling, because it’s based off the chemical reactions we have to certain stimuli.

[They’re fully off the topic of clothes at this point, as Jayce puts a hand on his chin in thought.]

The chemical reactions being the chaotic element, of course. But then what’s the point in programming the false outrage in Theobold? He doesn’t actually feel “anger” at rejection, he’s just projecting it. Who would put that as a part of his personality? And why?

Perhaps it's meant to almost give a sense of authenticity and less of a reminder that we're in an artificial environment. We have enough buildings to be considered a city but not a big enough population.

[Kirk is completely fine with speculating on Etraya's machines as opposed to the ridiculous fashion he's been put in]

But what does that do for us, to make us feel more “at home” here? Two things. Build trust, and build complacency. If we form attachments to the fake things, we're less likely to seek the real.

[Kirk nods]

Prisons are more palpable when they’re gilded. They give less of a urgency to go digging underneath the conveniences.

[Jayce hums in agreement. Gilded cages are becoming all too familiar to him.]

I'll give them that. I'm not going to rock the boat here unless I have a good reason to. We don't know what's the repercussions are if we just rebel for rebellions sake.

There's a difference between trusting the authorities and just biding until you have more information.

[Meaning Kirk is more inclined to want to investigate then just comfortably living in Etraya]

"The authorities," huh?

[Interesting.]

Either way, I'm curious, but I know this sort of investigation isn't my strong suit. I'll leave it to the real gumshoes.

[Privately, Kirk is slightly amused at the label. Technically he’s one of those gumshoes, even he’s never referred himself to that word]

There seems to be enough skeptics around at least. You’ve adjusted well then?

Yeah, I have.

[And he seems to brighten up a little when asked.]

I didn't tell you, but Viktor's here now. Only recently, but. You know. That thing we talked about?

[Kirk‘s attention is piqued. Yes, he still wants to see if he can help with Viktor’s affliction, whatever that may be. And he still wants to see if he can maybe learn something from that world’s science and magic]

Yes, I remember. Is he interested?

I haven't asked him yet. He might say no.

[In fact, he's very likely to say no.]

But if he does say yes, do you think you could... pretend I didn't tell you about it beforehand?

[You know, when he spilled the medical history of his partner to a stranger in like the first ten minutes of meeting them just because he was really sad?]

[There's a small pause as Kirk considers this. He works in moral grey areas more often than not these days]

Yes, but only if you can give him a convincing enough cover story.

I can do that.

[He overestimates his ability to lie to Viktor, and also how easily Viktor can read him. Oops.]

But you still think you'd be able to help?

I can't guarantee anything but we could try to give this a shot.

[Kirk really doesn't want to over-promise something as important as this but he's also still curious enough to look into Viktor's case]

Of course. Even giving it a shot would be helpful. I'll ask him when I get a chance to.

[He'll need to make sure the timing is right. Maybe bring Viktor a treat or something, like trying to appease an angry cat.]

If you see him around, he's about this high-

[He gestures to a few inches shorter than himself,]

brown hair, length to about here... golden eyes, two moles on his face, usually has a crutch and wears a sweatervest.

[That's... a lot of detail.]

[Rather detailed and it's a distinguishing enough look. Kirk commits it to memory]

Alright. How has he been adjusting to here?

Well enough? I haven't been observing him every day, but maybe I should?

[It doesn't even occur to him that that could be a weird thing to do.]

[Kirk arches an eyebrow. That's a direction he didn't expect his question to go into]

Probably not necessary unless he's okay with that.

I used to see him nearly every day when we worked together. It's a little weird to not know how he's doing right now, actually.

[Does Viktor think he's ditching him, again? Maybe he really should have insisted they live together.

Sorry Kirk, he's got his hand to his mouth, tapping his fingers against his lips as he stares off into the distance, thinking this all over.]

[Kirk probably doesn't have a lot of room to judge considering he lives with his teammates most of the time and they're his best, and only, friends]

Does he feel any particular way about that?

Hm?

[He shakes out of his thoughts.]

Oh. I don't know. He sometimes just... disappears. Doesn't come back for hours or a whole day.

[You know, like a cat.]

But he hasn't mentioned not liking when I check up on him. He just likes his privacy sometimes.

[Not at all connecting that this probably has to do with Viktor's worsening condition.]

[Kirk wonders if that has anything to do with Viktor’s condition or if the man is just very introverted. Both are situations he can relate to]

Seems good he has a friend like you.

[Both Hernan and Bekka will also sometimes do things for Kirk that Kirk didn’t ask for but ultimately appreciates]

Hah. Thanks.

[Sometimes he feels like he's an awful friend, actually. More recently than not.]

How long have you two been friends?

[Kirk figures he might as well get a better read on their relationship if he’s going to get involved with their affairs]

[Yeah Kirk, get involved in these messy messy affairs.]

Seven years.

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