FEBRUARY MINGLE

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: February 14th - March
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, a mini mission, and some new city features!
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. In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, cake slices, as well as tea and coffee to accompany them - or hot chocolate, for those who are opposed to the other offerings. Outside the hospital, the last remnants of snow are melting in the sunlight as the weather begins to warm up. It's still chilly enough one might want to put on a coat, but not so cold a jacket is necessary for wandering around without freezing off one's fingers. We hope you enjoy your stay. ⏵ heroes return ⏴ As the Quantum Rail train glides to a halt, returning passengers step out onto familiar ground - the train station, right where they had initially begun their mission. When exiting the station, their earpieces vibrate, indicating the automatic download of a detailed map which highlights key locations, transit paths, and notable landmarks. As Aurora promised, she had been working on a few renovations around Etraya! A sleek trolley system now winds through Etraya, following clearly marked pathways through the city bubble to make travel across the city smoother. However, the trolley only moves one way, eternally following the loop Aurora has set it on. And because of this, it takes six hours to complete it's loop all the way around. Don't miss your stop! Pets and animals have been returned to their usual preferred areas, some awaiting the arrival of their owners, and others keeping to themselves in the forested areas throughout Etraya. Beyond the small upgrades, things seem relatively unchanged - until one familiar sign catches the eye. One marked by four vertical lines, methodically crossed out one by one: the final slash has now been drawn through. The tally is complete. What it indicates has yet to be made clear, but it has to mean something, right? No one would go through the effort of making an ominous-sounding sign without following through. ⏵ love in the air ⏴ This Valentines Day, Aurora and the companion bots have opted to try something a little different: they have scattered mystery valentines across the city. Hidden within mailboxes, tucked into cafe menus, slipped under doors, on the outside of high windows for those wall-crawlers to spot. There are countless of these little slips of papers, strewn throughout the city. And within each valentine, is a challenge or gesture to complete. Please feel free to make these up yourselves as long as they fit in with the theme! Some examples include: Deliver a flower to a stranger. Write a heartfelt poem for someone. Share a box of chocolates! Confess your feelings for another. Play matchmaker for two people - this can be platonic, or romantic! Gift a friend with a stuffed animal. Give five different people a genuine compliment. While not mandatory, completing five tasks will earn an individual an additional ten points to use towards anything they would like! Each little Valentine is signed "Your Secret Admirer. ♡", and some of them may even be addressed to specific individuals. Don't be surprised, Eddie, if you see one or two that are specifically addressed to you lurking around your collection of chicken friends! And while most of these are harmless, some of the valentines cards come with effects for those who come into contact with the paper. Perhaps they thought it was a piece of garbage, or were just kicking it out of the way rather than intending on taking part. It doesn't matter! They get to join in on the fun, too. Heart Eyes - your pupils literally turn into hearts for a few hours, making it hard to focus on anything other than things (or people) you find attractive. Love-Struck Stammer - You can only speak in poetic compliments or romantic declarations, regardless of whom you're speaking to. Chocolate Bliss - Everything feels good. Simple. Easy. As if there's nothing in the world to concern yourself with. You feel happy, without any concerns or worry. Rose-Tinted Vision - everything looks soft and romantic, as if you're in a romance novel. You know the ones. Magnetic Attraction - regardless of what you had been doing, you suddenly find yourself unable to leave the side of the person closest to you. Had you been eating chocolates while walking down the street? Well, have fun getting stuck to the guy who'd been out for a jog! Serenade Syndrome - you find it impossible to resist the urge to sing your words, turning all conversations into love ballads. Heartstrings - A thread appears, connecting you to someone close by who you share many similarities too. Perhaps you had never met this person before, but the threads tied around your pinky fingers that refuse to let go until you allow yourself to open up to them clearly means you should be a little more familiar with them. Love is in the air—or maybe just a bit of well-intended chaos! 💕 ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Welcome back from the mission, and welcome to Etraya for our newcomers! We've tried to keep this log simple for an easy introduction, as well as some downtime for our mission-goers who worked hard to solve the Quantum Rail mystery. There is something else going on, but. . . well, no one seems to know what! The computer that had been on the lower floor of the hospital is now missing, and Aurora may seem a little flustered as she flits around Etraya, in search of something. 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

[cantilevers]

[Vander let out a soft chuckle at her pointed and rather honest assessment of that situation. It started as a little sound of amusement then a snort of laughter then full on laugh for few seconds before he calmed himself down with little hiccups of amusement. Why did it feel like only Maria could understand his reaction too?]

Yeah, yeah it did, didn't it? [He leaned his head down to kiss the top of her crown, still making no effort whatsoever to scooch from bed and leave. He probably should, but no, the day seemed to have left them behind anyway so why not a little lazy hour or so.]

It sounds complicated with an award winning description like that. [Same universe, huh? Vander was considering that, all the mess and baggage that came from the people of his world being here. Yeah, it seemed like all the individuals were potentially not made for actually saving but entertaining.] So you're expecting that I'll run across him, huh? He sounds like a real gem anyway, and I wonder if my charms will work on him as I help him.

[He rumbled in agreement from his chest. That sounded like as good a deal as their commitment to finding a hobby.]

Careful now, I might start to think you like me at this rate. Which, well... isn't wrong. [She had been someone he had found so much solace in the simple pleasure of her company, their mutual flirting and... geez, this little fling.] Alright then, it's a deal and yes, we'll hang out between missions too.

[heavensnight]

[there are no thoughts of wanting Vander out of her place, definitely not out of her bed. it seems like he's making no moves to leave either. and if anything, after her telling him what happened and him telling her what he had gone through himself; it just made her feel more affectionate. in her mind, Maria had the idea of Vander just needing someone to help him. Maria could not physically do much for him, other than give him company and so she would do that. comfort him and try to be someone he could seek solace in. he'd certainly become that for her.]

Hardly seems fair. Mostly just pointless? All...this. [her voice dips into a sadder tone and her cheek nuzzles the skin where she lay on him. she meant the mission, all the people who had been hurt, and the scars that had left behind.] What am I saying? It's always pointless. [there's a huff of laughter, devoid of any humor, and then a sigh.] Nobody deserves to suffer. [and that she felt with her whole heart.]

Including someone like Vincent. Even if he did call me ugly. [she jokes to try to bring back the levity.] You'll run into him because he's hard to avoid honestly. Hard to charm, too. If you manage it then I'll be impressed. [Vander is very charming but Vincent is not one to be charmed. by anybody really.]

I know us spending the night together and sleeping the day away has been giving off some mixed signals. [they had slept together but she still felt the need to keep up the game of cat and mouse. will they, won't they...even if they had. and repeatedly.]

[cantilevers]

[He grunted softly in agreement. He had been on a single mission so far, and it had seemed extremely pointless. He wasn't certain what it proved when it came to whether or not their worlds deserved to continue to exist, and if anything, they were put in a situation where it almost seemed designed to fail for most of them. Too few details, too little time to operate, too many people segregated.

She had clearly been on more missions than he had, and he appreciated her being united on the feelings he had not been able to verbalize properly.] Did we even save anything as a group? If was very disjointed. Are other missions like that, or was that just a particularly bad one?

[He considered her attempt at levity, realizing it was the backbone of how they coped with such situations when together.] Does he even like anyone, or is he just one of those types who has an agenda and won't stray from it no matter what? [He had worked with (read: wrangled) those types in the past, and they could be difficult to interact with, less willing to be part of an overall group effort without seeing it as a step closer to their end goal.] And I assume because if a man is willing to die for you, he's also keeping track of who you associate with.

[He could see the red flags already.]

You can just say it was sex and not to be emotional about it, right? You haven't revealed many of your secrets, so there's still plenty for me to learn. Such a mystery. [He did mean that sincerely. He did like the banter, and he was enjoying the brief expansion into seriousness too. Multifaceted flirting or something.]

[heavensnight]

[Maria had only arrived a month earlier and there had not been any missions before the one they both went on. she only knew what people had told her about.] Apparently one was building a car and racing. So who knows what that qualified anybody for? But I'd take that over whatever the hell that train thing was. [that had been pointless. they both agreed. in the end, Maria hadn't been much help because she had become so focused on keeping Heather out of trouble after the riots.

as they talk about Vincent, she laughs. the wording makes him sound like a possessive boyfriend. she wishes Vincent could hear it because he'd hate it.] Vincent doesn't like people. They're more like investments than they are relationships. If that makes sense. I'm a pretty valuable one to him is all. [which probably seems weird considering she's just a woman who has said she doesn't have much going for her. not even a hobby. mysterious indeed.] You're not wrong, though. He's told me he's worried about my own "investments". We'll see how you measure up. [she was positive Vincent wouldn't consider Vander for anything too nefarious. hopefully just helpful enough not to be too much of a pain to the man.]

So once the mysteries are all solved, we're done with this little arrangement? I'll have to remember that.

[cantilevers]

Yeah, I did hear about that one when I asked around as well. That one sounded more our style, I think. [However, despite the pointlessness of the situation on the train, they had ultimately succeeded at something. Well, not him and probably not Maria, but the train had gone... well, in space or something.] Maybe the next mission will be something we can dig into, yeah? They happen frequently enough.

[There were more than a few in the undercity like that. They usually kept to the outskirts and did managed their own objectives in general isolation, but they did need supplies and a helping hand now and again.] Is there a particular reason that he considers you so valuable? Or is that a mystery? [He made his tone light and teasing as he asked the question, unwilling to press her for details and potentially spoil the interaction.] Well, I haven't shrunk so I expect I still measure to six-foot-seven-inches. [Ha, dad joke.] I'm not here to do anything more than be your friend and ally, so hopefully he doesn't find that threatening.

[He lifted his head off of his folded arm again to regard her. He huffed softly to disarm the question.] Sorry, Maria, my friends only manage to get rid of me when they die. [Morbid? Yes. Truth? Also yes. Complicated? Definitely.]

[heavensnight]

Hopefully next mission doesn't involve us going through psychological warfare. [famous last words, one might say. though she still wasn't entirely sure what else she would be good at. what help she could give during any mission. though everybody had been telling her she was good with people, talking with them; but she wasn't sure how that mattered any. if she even was. none of these missions needed skills like that.] But we're here for each other afterward, right? [Maria was happy to be there for him.]

Funny. [she does say it with a chuckle so hey, she did appreciate it. Maria could laugh at a dad joke.] There's a few reasons. You know one, we're from the same universe. The second is because I'm close to the other person from our universe. If something needs to be done then he knows she's more likely to hear me out than him. [though she won't tell him why Heather is so important. best not to spill it all even if she hardly thinks someone like Vander would have any use for Heather. and he was a father. unlikely he'd want to hurt a teenage girl like Heather.] Third reason? That's a secret. [and she had no plans to tell Vander that Vincent considered Maria a religious miracle that showed the glory of his religion's god.]

Permanently dead or just dead once? Would be awkward if I die here and I come back with our friendship axed out. [easier to joke than to tell him how much that did mean to her.] I'd have to start all over. First date and all.

[cantilevers]

Well now that you've uttered it, we know we probably will. How good are you at psychological warfare? Just so I can prepare myself for your inevitable devastating insults about my receding hair line. [He was honestly hoping to avoid psychological warfare; he didn't consider himself in the best mental state to cope with it. Still, he felt the need to shoot for levity again, to keep things simple and that the next mission was a future them problem.] Yeah, you have my word. We'll have a check in after it's over, especially if we don't see each other as much.

[He considered her reasons, and he was aware that he was likely missing considerable nuance and background information. He actually was more pleased that she decided to divulge that in the first place, thinking she might hold onto to her secrets and those of people from her world.] So you have multiple people from your world. Are they all fabulous souls that you're friends with? Or... do they all decide to call you ugly? Which, such a poor choice. [He smirked at her third reason. Well played.]

I think if you die and come back, it doesn't count. Unless you lose all your memories of me, then I have to sweet talk you all over again. [His fingers walked down her spine affectionately.] Our first date was pretty memorable, especially when you consider we're technically still on it.

[heavensnight]

I can throw some good insults if needed. [she moves to sit up a bit more, running her fingers along that hairline of his with a smile.] If that's the next mission then I'll try to stay away from the low-hanging fruit. I'll go easy on you. [though she guessed they weren't going to be so lucky as to have something that simple.

Maria considers what Vincent had said to her. how he didn't tell people about who he "cared" about, in case they could be used against him. but Maria did trust Vander.] Heather Mason is the other person from my universe. She's...I guess she's like a little sister to me now. We never knew each other before this place but I'm glad she's here. I'm glad I met her. Heather was the person I was trying to keep an eye out for on the train. She's been through a lot lately, before ever coming here. It's why Vincent and I feel so protective towards her. [Maria purposely tells Vander this, hoping that if he met Heather then this might strike up some protective sense in him. a man wanting to protect the younger ones. ]

Ah, no more sweet talking? You let a guy in your bed and there go the compliments. [she sits up, moving to straddle him. it isn't really meant to be sexual, more just making sure he takes notice of her.] I guess I should let you go about your life. Not that this is me kicking you out. More like me offering you an out if you want it.

[cantilevers]

You're such a gem. Maybe my ego can stay intact after some of your insults; you seem the type to be rather creative with them. [It was all fun and games until someone actually struck a blow, but for now, he preferred the levity after both the train and the topic of her losing someone from her world. It only confirmed it was possible if they too weren't careful from Runeterra.

He considered for a moment before nodding his head. He had met Heather once on the network once, and she had seemed nice and well-meaning.] I've spoken with Heather on the network. She seems like a nice person, and she spoke highly of her little companion who can do tricks. I didn't realize you two were from the same universe. [That was three he now knew about when it came to her universe. He wondered if he could meet them and determine similarities.] Anyone else from your universe hanging around these parts?

[He dropped his head on his arm and offered a long-suffering sigh.] You're just on fire this afternoon, aren't you? You're not letting me get away with anything. [He would still provide her compliments. Yet, he was distracted when she moved from beside him to straddle him again, and he remained relaxed under her weight even as he lifted a hand to stroke her side affectionately.] You understand your words and your actions are completely opposite right about now, hmm? How about I stay and we enjoy an early dinner together and then I'll scooch back to my neck of the tunnels?

[Then he smirked.] Or I could stay the night again, and you can seize on the opportunity to kick me out fresh in the morning like a proper lady of mystery?

[heavensnight]

[she gives him a kiss to his cheek in response. honestly she couldn't imagine being too mean to Vander. not when he had been so sweet to her.

she smiles when he discusses Heather. she feels a little proud that someone else could see that Heather was good because she was. she deserved so much more than she ever got.] There was James. But he's gone. [and that's all she will say on that. James had been one of the reasons she needed a distraction. between wondering what it meant for her if James was gone and missing him despite it all.

which was why they were here. when he offers the chance for their time together to be extended she jumps on it eagerly.] We can have early dinner.

And then you can stay the night again and well, we'll see how we go from there?

[but from her smile, it was obvious he had a place with her for as long as he wanted one. for as long as this could go on, she wouldn't be turning him down.]

[cantilevers]

[He smiled for the kiss and filed away the name of James, but it didn't seem to be anyone that he would know or meet (this will age poorly). He was reminded that they had plenty to just indulge in together, and neither of them had priorities outside of perhaps a shower, a meal and enjoying one another's company.

He nodded his head, setting his elbows in the bed so he could push himself to sitting up. He leaned in to nuzzle the tip of his nose against her chin.] I don't feel like leaving your place, so we should see what we have in the apartment to eat.

[He was pleased that they were in agreement and he wrapped his arms around her waist and pecked a kiss to her lips.] Sounds like a nice night ahead of us. Come on...

[He moved them so they could rise, stretch and locate something to eat. He had no effort to put on clothes of course. He just went about the rest of the day and apartment with her.]