JANUARY MINGLE

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[leastdramatic]

"Yup," Jason replies with a scoff. "We all got the same spiel about that."

He doesn't really believe it though.

[hyphanated]

Judging from the man's tone of voice— "Do you think there's another reason?" Not that An Zhe can think of any other possibilities.

"...I'm not sure what having to dress like this has to do with saving people."

[leastdramatic]

"That's just it," Jason says. "We get random stuff like playing dress-up but not enough explicit info on how to actually save our worlds. Seems weird for something that important."

[hyphanated]

An Zhe thinks over that for a moment. "Maybe they don't have info to give yet? Where I came from...it wasn't until humanity was about to die that they finally found the answer."

Though this still doesn't explain them playing dress-up. He fiddles with his new clothes as he thinks this.

[leastdramatic]

That's one theory, though Jason still has doubts.

"What was wrong with your world?" he asks, curious.

[hyphanated]

"Um...humanity's artificial magnetic poles stopped working like they should, so it was affecting the weather and wildlife and everything else...which caused a lot of people to die."

An Zhe's tone of voice is a soft one by nature, but he also recites this very calmly, as if he's simply going over what the weather was like last week.

[leastdramatic]

Given what he said and the way he said it, there's something off about An Zhe but Jason isn't sure what it is.

"Were you around when it happened or was this all before you were born?"

It's a guess but maybe being from a post-apocalyptic era could explain how eerily calm An Zhe is.

[hyphanated]

"I was there." Not the nicest memory to have...a vaguely pained expression gradually appears on An Zhe's face, though he still sounds as calm as before.

"Everything was alright when I woke up here though, and...I'd rather they didn't have to worry about the end of the world again. I like them."

[leastdramatic]

"How'd they find the answer?" Jason asks patiently. There's something... young? Maybe almost childlike of An Zhe.

[hyphanated]

"Oh, one person realized they needed to change the frequency on the poles, and he noticed that monsters getting burned up in one of the machines gave him data on their different frequencies, so...I threw myself in." He looks down at his feet as he says this, then looks up again. "Is your world very different?"

[leastdramatic]

Jason arches an eyebrow.

"Very. The poles are just fine," Jason replies. "You threw yourself in?"

[hyphanated]

An Zhe nods! And does not give any further explanation.

"I heard that the world used to have millions of humans in it, before the magnetic field disappeared...is that true? It must be very crowded, where you live."

[leastdramatic]

"We do fine depending on which part of the world," Jason shrugs. "I live in a city so there's a lot more people. I'm used to it."

He's definitely getting kid vibes from An Zhe.

"What'd you mean by you threw yourself in?"

[hyphanated]

There's a slight frown at the question.

"I mean...it was hot enough, that anything that fell into it would disintegrate on impact...so I let myself fall in." An Zhe pauses then, trying to understand the man's reaction. "I'm alright now though." Maybe that'll help?

[leastdramatic]

While it's not the first time Jason has heard of someone surviving a burning or be invulnerable to that sort of thing, it's still a normal feat.

"How?" He asks.

[hyphanated]

An Zhe hesitates for a long moment before replying, "...Do I have to answer?"

[leastdramatic]

Another strange reaction but one that Jason doesn't think is worth digging into for now. Everyone has their reasons and so far, An Zhe comes off more as someone young and shy than suspicious.

"Nah, it's fine," Jason replies. "I was only curious. Not a big deal."

[hyphanated]

An Zhe nods again at that, clearly somewhat relieved--this line of conversation's been getting into territory he's not quite smart enough to explain properly, even if he doesn't like admitting that to himself. (He's still smart for a mushroom...!)

"You're a nice person." Gotta tell people what he thinks of them!

[leastdramatic]

Jason nearly barks out a laugh from An Zhe's compliment. Given his criminal and violent history, Jason wouldn't call himself a nice person most of the time. But he sees that the guy is trying to be polite.

"Eh, thanks. It's nothing," he says.

[hyphanated]

W-Why does he seem amused...is An Zhe being teased again? Did he say something strange? He doesn't know and isn't sure how to react to that response, his face turning expressionless as a result.

"...If you say so."

Maybe he should stop telling people they're good, if they always respond with amusement? Yeah.

[leastdramatic]

“Name’s Jason by the way,” Jason says, as a way to ease the awkwardness.

[hyphanated]

Oh! He perks up again, slightly. "My name is An Zhe. It's nice to meet you, Jason."

However lost he may be, he still remembers his manners.

[leastdramatic]

"You've been adjusting okay here?" He asks. It's a guess but Jason has a feeling there've been other awkward moments.

[hyphanated]

"...I'm trying to..." It's a strange new world, with strange new gadgets, and it's also cold? Why is it cold? An Zhe understands the concept of winter, but he's never had to experience it like this? He sneezes again.

"This place is very different from what I'm used to."

[leastdramatic]

"How so?" Jason asks. Maybe if he had a better idea of what kind of world the guy came from, he would have a better idea of how to read him.