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

[godsandbats]

Kirk has heard that kind of talk before from plenty of others like Lois Lane and other civilians. One of the problems of being a formal human is that Kirk can understand why people would fear him and his closest friends. Kirk personally knows what Hernan and Bekka are really like but most people don't have that privilege. It's unfortunately easy to see why so many others would be wary of people like Kirk and the other Justice League members.

Plus, he can't deny that battles like the ones against the Forever People or against Imperiex did cause civilian causalities. Just because the Justice League never intended that to happen and that it was collateral, didn't mean their those deaths were justified.

It's uncomfortable but Kirk can see Vander's point.

"All too often," Kirk admits. "Containment's always the better option."

[cantilevers]

Vander was a realist, of course. He came from a place where survival was never guaranteed no matter how skilled or wealthy or lucky one was. Saving people frequently didn't mean saving everyone, and it was a reality that everyone who was a protector had to live with. Save who you can, remember those lost, and continually strive to make the community stronger to limit future losses.

Still, he would protect his, bare fists and tenacity if he had to. There were always stronger people, always bigger weapons, always a larger threat.

"If your friend or ally or whatever he is to you become a threat to those I care about or vowed to protect, know that I will fight him. Even if I lose, I accept that. I just need to buy them enough time." He looked at Kirk. "I'd rather not because there are other ways, but I'm not afraid to throw down with anyone." Not anymore. What else did he have to lose?

[godsandbats]

Kirk keeps his face stoic. He can't begrudge anyone for feeling like that. He's met plenty of similar sentiments back home. Hernan's attitude certainly doesn't help with tensions at times. Such massive power held by only a few is a power imbalance and is tenuously dependent on too-fragile moral compasses.

It wasn't that long ago that he and his teammates had discussed the value of becoming authoritarians. Bekka didn't like it when Hernan bought it up but Kirk... didn't argue Hernan about it. He was untroubled by the topic. Although the Justice League was no longer thinking about taking over the world, it was a close call.

"I understand," Kirk says in an even tone. "Everyone has something to protect."

[cantilevers]

He nodded his head, unwilling to labor over an agreed upon point. If his opinion cost him some of his developing relationship with Kirk, he would accept that as well. He knew what it was like to be caught between people; he'd once had his own little problem that he had. It was here now, but it wasn't entirely his problem.

"I hope so otherwise life isn't entirely worth living. Or maybe that's just me. I'm a protector," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. He would never lump everyone into the same box as him, but his protective instincts were considerable. He just... only had one person he would die for, and he hadn't yet determined if she would be upset about it.

"Who are you protecting, Kirk?"

[godsandbats]

Kirk pauses to think about that question. It's... surprisingly and uncomfortably difficult to answer. It wasn't too long ago that he would've automatically said Will and Tina. They were his closest friends when he was human and seemingly welcomed him back after his transformation. He loved them.

But after Will's betrayal and the reveal that he had murdered Tina years ago, Kirk knows there's nothing left from his former human life. His parents wanted nothing to do with him even before he became a vampire. He never felt like he fit in his hometown. Will and Tina are dead.

The only people he has left that he cares about are Hernan and Bekka. Two godlike teammates who are so much more powerful than him and that for some strange reason, have no problems with associating with a freak like him. With what Hernan and Bekka can do compared to him, it feels almost preposterous that they would need any kind of protection from Kirk. He's someone who only accidentally mutated superpowers.

Though thanks to Damian recently threatening Hernan with a kryptonite knife, maybe Kirk can still be of some use.

Kirk had been trying to bury himself with work rather than fully process all the emotional consequences from Will's betrayal.

Further making the question difficult is that he never became Batman for altruism. Instead, it's been his way of redirecting his bloodlust into something more productive and an attempt to feel less like a monster. But there are still some days when he still doesn't believe that in himself.

"It's not the same as being a protector but I've been doing what I can with what I've been given," Kirk finally says, still monotone. "Years ago, something transformed me. I lost everything. Then I made the choice to redirect my new abilities into something useful."

[cantilevers]

Vander watched Kirk contemplate, and the length of time that it took was answer enough. There was probably no one, and yet the other man continued to labor on with whatever it was that occupied Kirk's time. He didn't know what that was as they hadn't spent that much time together aside from two meetings, this being the second.

He knew people that had no interest in being protectors, that had their own agendas and everyone else be damned. He didn't receive that sense from Kirk though, which begged the question what the other man felt needed to be doing day after day.

"Do you want to be a protector, Kirk?" He knew what it was like to want something but have few opportunities for it. "And what are you doing that you consider useful, hmm?"

Vander was not a bleeding heart by any means, but he was empathetic. He reached out and set a hand on Kirk's shoulder, though he would withdraw it if the contact was unwanted.

CW: Minor cancer mention, minor end-of-life discussion

[godsandbats]

Kirk allows Vander to touch him on the shoulder. Unlike their first meeting, he knows that Vander's not a threat this time. Kirk wonders if that bestial rage he saw before was an unwilling transformation.

"I hadn't really thought about being a protector before my transformation," he replies. "At most, I thought about being part of good cause. I was a scientist."

Though even his research was partially motivated by self-interest. Dying from lymphoma was a powerful motive to look more into the fringes and take much more dangerous risks.

"After my transformation, My life became very different. I was lost. I had few choices. Somehow though, I wanted to keep going."

If anything that stubborn will to live became stronger for Kirk, despite being horrified by his vampiric abilities.

"In my world, humanity is capable of committing the most evil atrocities but also can do the most remarkable and beautiful acts. I meant what I said when we first time we met. I became an investigator and dive into that dark side of humanity. I find monsters and fight them. My abilities give me special advantages. These cases keep me focused and in better control. Sometimes I can rescue the monsters' victims and bring them back home. Those times help me feel like something good is coming out of what I'm going."

[cantilevers]

He didn't keep his hand there for more than a respectable amount of time, only to add connection and support. After that, it dropped back to his side and he remained standing attentive but casual.

He nodded his head to the beats of the conversation, filing away pertinent information. He watched Kirk closely, trying to determine if asking after the glaring obvious subject of the transformation would be too invasion. So far, Kirk had been rather forthright with information, but he understood there were some subjects best left alone.

"Is it because of your transformation that you were lost, or factors beyond your control that had little to do with it?"

He considered the similarities between their described worlds. He had heard this talk about, the best and worst of humanity. There was no greater monster than mankind. They could create as beautifully as they could destroy. "Do you... ever try to rescue the monsters from themselves? Is there redemption for those lost in the darkness?"

[godsandbats]

Out of an abundance of caution, Kirk is purposely not being forward about his vampiric status. He's admitted it to only a couple of people in Etraya so far. For one person, he realized they weren't going to be repulsed by it. For the other, he disclaimed because it was pertinent to their conversation about magical healing. For the rest of Etraya, it would have to be on a case-by-case basis. Back home he's used to most people being revolted by what he is.

"It's mostly because of my transformation that I was lost," he replies. "And the monsters I target are the ones who are completely irredeemable. They're the criminals who aren't doing it out of survival but out of darker goals."

Or a least that's what he tells himself. Sure, there are the obvious ones like human traffickers or drug lords. But then there are the henchpeople. These days Kirk tries not think as much about the moral questions that come with killing those people. It's only recently that the Justice League decided to try to kill less. Kirk was still adjusting as it meant changing his food supply too.

[cantilevers]

Vander was keen enough to draw from the continued reference of transformation that they both needed more time to establish trust with one another. He was patient and abided by the topic as it was presented, not as he wanted it to be. After all, he already considered Kirk a friend, yet there was plenty about one another that they had not shared.

"Everyone needs a path, and it seems that you're investigative work has provided out an outlet," he agreed with a nod of his head. And at least Kirk had other friends here; those connections were grounding and needed with the pressures they were under. "Ah, I've known a few people like that, and it usually ends the same way for them." With finality.

He knew the reality though; most of them didn't have the benefit of investing the necessary time and effort to rehabilitate the truly monstrous of them. There were no such social structures. The community as a whole required certain sacrifices to keep it healthy, as much as it was distasteful action. He'd rather that then lose people who were innocent and trying to carve out any living they could.

[godsandbats]

"It's ugly work and shouldn't be taken lightly. But someone has to help clean up the darker side of society," Kirk agrees. It's one of the conclusions he tends to come to whenever he questions if what he's doing is right or if he's just another monster.

"What do you do back home?"

Kirk recognizes that they haven't spoken much about Vander's life back home other than him clearly showing how much he cares for his children.