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

[odinpusrex]

The careful way she proceeds speaks well of her. Too many are impetuous, unwilling to heed the dangers around them, or the potential of them. Yet, she proves herself wise beyond her years, or perhaps she is informed by personal experience, and that is where her caution springs forth. Not all listen when warnings are offered, and the way she carries herself suggests this is more than the precautions of an inexperienced listener.

With a silent nod, Barnabas sets towards Stonhyrr. His gait somewhat languid and unhurried. It isn't that he's being insultingly slow to make up for her shorter stride, but rather he isn't particularly rushed. It is almost swagger, in truth, though where there might be a pompousness to the confidence typical to that sort of walk, instead there seems to be something almost burdened. For as self assured as he holds himself, he almost seems equally worn down by it, at least to the keen observer.

For Grani's part, he's taken to galloping ahead, though bounding back before he's gone too far. kicking up a little of the semi-frozen vegetation and dirt in his excitement. Whinnying in joy as he circles them and bolts on ahead again.

For all the danger Barnabas implied the land to be full of, he doesn't seem particularly worried about his horse.

What creatures there are, however, are further off in the distance, and notably not near Stonhyrr. It's hard to make the creatures out, though they do look a little like buffalo if one squinted. Otherwise, the rock formations and trees obscure much else towards the south, while their path north is more of a flat land that leads to the fortress and the rocky shore which its bridge is built upon.

As they walk, Barnabas makes no effort to engage small talk. Comfortable in the silence they otherwise share, though it is a bit of a trek before they get there. At least he doesn't seem like he'll rebuff her attempts, he simply is not making his own.

[hammerbearer]

There wouldn't be much talk. Gaia might not be much of a talker when it comes to needing to fill gaps and... there's a sense that she's interested more in the scenery and newness to her surroundings than engaging in small talk.

She really did hold an interest in exploring.

Though the young woman is not above the charm that the foal's antics provide as an element to their journey. Every so often she can be caught smiling. And if Grani comes over to investigate from time to time, she might pat the young creature's head before he dashes off. No harm there.

The bighorns in the distance are no more familiar to her than say... a mammoth as a not too specific example. But large, lumbering beasts that are perfectly fine to admire from a distance are clearly nothing she's a stranger to. No more than the idea that a horse could have six legs. ...Well, her notion of what a horse is? Also fairly limited anyway.

At some point she does offer a question. The closer they come to the fortress, the less likely it is that... well, there's other people as one would expect to be dwelling under the protections of such an impressive edifice.

"There really aren't a lot of people in this world, are there? Is it really just the people who have been summoned? Not any natives?"

[odinpusrex]

It really does feel desolate, and for some that might seem so terribly lonely. For Barnabas, that is ideal, but that does not mean that it is good by any means. Her question does not surprise him, he too had wondered the state of the native population when he first arrived. Strangely, there seems to be none, but he supposes it isn't as strange as it could be, given what even he is descended from, and the purpose something like him is for.

Though, he did catch those little smiles of hers whenever Grani took it upon himself to investigate and play with her. Trotting to and fro, maybe trying to pull at her clothes when he shouldn't, but never too hard, or for too long. Barnabas never lets his gaze linger, nor does he make it too apparent that he is looking at her so much as he seems to keep an eye on the foal.

However, her question is when he gives her his attention, a casual glance over his shoulder at her, before he looks to the imposing fortress not too far from them now.

"It is only us and the automatons." His voice is cool and measured, it betrays no emotion or opinion about that matter. "Does that bother you?"

[hammerbearer]

Honestly, Gaia seems unaware of the particular attention Barnabas is paying to her. She's aware of his presence and is probably keeping some sort of eye on him; they're strangers in the end and a stranger offering largess is someone to be mindful of. But if she's catching him regarding her, then it's no less of what she's doing to him. It doesn't bear much more thought than that.

Gaia considers his question after the man offers confirmation of the lack in a native population.

"Well, yes. At least a little. A place empty of anyone but the people pulled here to determine how much of reality might be saved?" She crosses her arms, but it's more of... wrapping against the chill of her thoughts, not of the winter air.

"It's all well and good to think of that as meaning there's no natives with a self-interest and bias. But then who set this up in the first place? It's either artificial... or lonely."

Or something else she doesn't have a grasp on so early.

"Perhaps it's just me. I was pulled from my world to another before this one. And at least there were people who had a vested interest in calling on an outside force to help them be saved or... recover. Whatever else was going on that caused us to be summoned there."

Gaia lets out a huff.

[odinpusrex]

"Perhaps it is both," he offers, thinking about Aurora, though there is even her master to consider. An AI does not build itself, after all. Even mankind did not spawn from nothing, an architect was at its helm, there is always something bigger, grander than what one can immediately see. A truth beyond the myopia of mere mortals.

Though her admitting to being dragged to a world before this one does interest him, and so his gait slows a little, to put them both at equal pace. To walk side by side, instead of him a few steps in the lead.

"Another world? Is it so common to be spirited away to realms beyond your own?" He scrutinizes her again, his steel-like gaze looking her over as he considers the feel of energy, of aether, that radiates beneath. That she should be plucked not once, but twice...

Even if he himself has not been torn from his world before this one, he had been chosen to restore his world from the brink of its total annihilation. Are these similarities simple coincidence? He had once considered it so, given the...diversity of specimens brought here for the same purpose, yet Gaia's circumstance has now invited him to revisit the thought.

[hammerbearer]

It does leave an uneasy feeling. Some might like the notion that they've no one to help but themselves. But that also suggests that everyone here is in competition for space. A finite space at that.

Gaia isn't left to think about it overlong though she's sure to do so later. Instead the king has asked her another question. One which she affords a rueful chuckle.

"Well when you put it like that..." Then there's a shake of her head. "Not exactly like this... or such as when I was pulled to Kamurkia. But there is a form of travel between world where I'm from and others. It can rarely happen. Most aren't aware."

And to get someone with a coporeal body across the vastness took a great deal of aether. Even just a soul... Gaia frowns. This time she's noticing the intensity of her companion's study. It's reasonable given the conversation but still.

"What? If you have something to say, you should say it." There might be a trace of defensiveness there.

[odinpusrex]

The defensiveness does not go unnoticed, and Barnabas does not seem particularly bothered. Gaia might gain the distinct impression that there isn't much that bothers Barnabas at all, at least on the surface. Of course he finds what she says interesting, that Gaia's...reality is one that boasts a means to travel between worlds. Something perhaps possible of his Master, should such a feat been necessary for their situation, but likely proved itself a fruitless endeavor.

The Interdimensional Rift was proof enough of what He can do on a whim.

"Long have I wondered if there was a discernible pattern to those who have been brought here," he starts, his voice just as calm as it has been this whole time. Grani trotting about alongside them, slowing as he moves to almost a prance. Like he's eavesdropping, but who's to say he really understands what they're talking about.

"At first, I believed it all made sense that the ones who were here would have been chosen. However, I have come to meet others which are not particularly special in any notable way. That they should be expected to prove themselves against the trials we are meant to face...is rather irresponsible by most men's measure. These unremarkable chosen cannot properly conceive of a burden this grand."

As he talks, Stonhyrr is not far off, probably a few more minutes and they'll reach the bridge. Maybe a minute if they jog, which Barnabas is distinctly not doing. Instead, he continues his pace, leisurely and unhurried, continuing to explain.

"Yet, twice you have been chosen—abducted—by different realities to serve as savior. I know not your role from whence you originally hail, but if I were make a wager, it would be that this role is not unfamiliar to you."

Is he projecting on Gaia a little bit here? Maybe. Is he taking a fifty-fifty stab at this possibility? Absolutely, but he has reason to believe that chance is on his side, that the probability is a little higher than a true fifty-fifty split. With her power, and her admitted abduction history, he's certain this is a safe bet to make, and even if he's wrong, there's something to gain from it.

Though, he pretty confident he's right.

[hammerbearer]

Gaia studies Barnabas while he speaks. Oh, she keeps up and that's easy enough to do at their current pace, but she's also seeing a few things about his manner that she'd not really bothered to acknowledge before. What he has to say is certainly worth acknowledging; as a theory and earlier assumptions. But does it mean he's right about the 'worth' of those brought here?

"Not everyone can be kings and rulers. Or heroes and villains. Not that the latter is much more than a measure of what side you're on for the most part."

There's exceptions to every rule, but Gaia seems to be aware that a 'hero' is often the narrative of history or perspective.

"And a world worthy to be saved shouldn't be judged by the merits or faults of the privileged. There's certainly a lot more 'ordinary people' than chosen." Gaia then huffs. "Of course that depends on whether this all is some trial to preserve as much as possible, or if that's just a lie."

Jury's certainly out on that one.

There's a visible flinch. Barnabas earns a bit of a glower, but then it's probably the type of word he used to describe it. Abducted.

"Believe me, I was perfectly content to go about my business on my world, dealing with my world's problems. There was certainly enough. And more than a few things I'm needed for. But here I am." Her voice is waspish and in a tone of displeasure.

"Abducted as you said. And dealing with someone trying to shape me into someone I'm not. Again. I suppose I should be grateful I'm no longer turning into a dragon. Which I don't recommend."

[odinpusrex]

It is his turn to watch her as she speaks, of the little tells she might give in how she holds herself. What she might give away in terms of thoughts that are left unspoken. Though, she does not seem to hold back when it comes to speaking her mind. This is useful, of course, but he cannot be too careful in assuming that she lets every thought babble forth from her lips like a waterfall.

Her answers are not unexpected, but her stance on the dichotomy of kings and commoners is...interesting. Few, he has found, truly hold that perspective, most adhering greatly to the cultural rule of nobility and its flawed structures. At least, the warped version of hierarchy adapted by man, at any rate.

What is unexpected, ultimately, is the idea that she was being turned into a dragon? That's. Well, that's odd. Not the oddest thing, after all he clashed with Bahamut on the battlefield, but it does make him wonder what sort of world had she been to previously. One that would turn its captives into wyrms...odd.

"Forced transformations are not something I have encountered in my time here, yet that does not mean it cannot occur." As he speaks, it is still in that same soft and measured tone. "Though they would like as not prove temporary, as much done here tends to be."

As they make their way onto the bridge, the air noticeably feels a bit...tense, as if there is actual tension in the atmosphere, but it is made clear as to why within a few moments: the sky rumbles with thunder over head, and the waters below are aggressive and choppy. Bashing against the ragged rocks beneath them in an unending fury.

Barnabas does not seem bothered in the slightest, neither is Grani.

"As for the matter of those who have been brought here—I did not speak of kings nor rulers. I spoke of those with the ability to handle the travails ahead of us. There are many kings who are not worthy of their crowns, and those born to common stock which would serve better on the throne."

He lets a couple steps punctuate his sentence before he continues, his gaze casting off towards the shadowy keep ahead of them.

"I was not born a king, lest you mistake me. I earned my crown."

[hammerbearer]

"That's certainly a relief that it isn't common." Unheard of or not going to happen would really be too much to ask; the possibility of undergoing some sort of transformation on her world is not just a distant, mythological memory and not as dire as it once was, but could still happen as the effects of Eden and the Flood of Light, and sin eaters in general linger in the wake of the return of Night to Novrandt and the continued existence of the Empty's expanse.

"Not all heroes or villains are anything more than people who weren't born to any fortune. In fact I'd wager many aren't." She wasn't speaking of the hierarchy either. "All I'm trying to say is that it's really hard to judge who and what people will become when put under trials. Much less something like this. But... I'll admit I haven't been here nearly as long as you."

She looks up at him with an side-eye glance for that last caveat.

"It just sounds like you have a pretty high standard for the type of person who would succeed on their own merit. That's all I meant."

But it seems she's leaving it there for her explanation. Not just because she wouldn't have more to say; Barnabas would be welcome to probe further. But she's becoming increasingly distracted by their surroundings as the bridge is stepped upon and they begin to cross.

Gaia has been to the Gandolf Thunder Plains. A place where aether is charged powerfully with levin. This... reminds her of that. Maybe not because of the element, but the same sense of aether being stirred, some impact of a momentous event undeniably lingering. Her feet take her closer to the edge though not so foolishly that she might fall off if that was even a possibility.

"....Is this how it's supposed to be?" Was it something of the domain itself or Etraya in general? She's clearly feeling a little uneasy.

[odinpusrex]

Transformations, in a manner of speaking, are more divine by Barnabas' view. Those that can undergo such vast changes are typically those blessed by the Almighty Himself, though he is not fool enough to believe that only the divine can do as much. Still, his association, his bias, does not lead him to find such transformations a specific negative as Gaia might, with the Sineaters fresh in her mind.

After all, some might believe those fiends the work of the divine, holy in their violent simplicity. Much as Barnabas views the Akashic, but that is neither here nor there, and so Barnabas comments no further on that topic.

However, he likewise does not rebuke her estimation on his standards. Primarily because what one might believe to be "high" is another man's "reasonable", and when it comes to saving existence, is there truly a standard that can be too high for what is at stake?

He is, ultimately, a realist by his view, and a solution is better than none, though that does not mean he is without judgment for the people and tools at their disposal for such a thing.

As they walk onto the bridge, the tension in the air unwavering and electric, Grani's hooves crackle a little with each beat against the stone beneath them. This is certain a lightning touched area, though the primary source was not recreated with Stonhyrr's placement, the aether conductivity remains.

"Stonhyrr has even been charged with levin," he begins simple enough, looking to the castle, admiring its silhouette though it lacks the imposing beauty of Drake's Spine. "The mothercrystal responsible for its aetheric pull towards that aspect is not present here in Etraya."

Though its effects clearly remain. Something that will fade with time due to the lack of exposure, as is to be expected, though it is not something quick.

Barnabas looks to Gaia, intrigue in his gaze.

"You are sensitive to aether. Of this I am not surprised, though I am left to wonder the nature of your senses."

Speaking of, Gaia might be able to sense that something is watching the two of them. A beast of considerable aetheric composition and power: a behemoth. The creature is on the far side of the bridge, and otherwise might not be noticeable immediately to one not capable of feeling its presence due to its dummy thicc considerable amounts of aether.

For now, it seems to be doing nothing but watching and waiting. Neither Barnabas or Grani appear to care about the beast's presence. Or perhaps they have not noticed it, that is for Gaia to surmise.

[hammerbearer]

The explanation makes sense. Unless a great event shifts the elemental balance another way, the impact of a long-standing aspect will linger for a long while even after its source is removed. And Stonhyrr is veritably charged with the levin aether that came from the mothercrystal.

Crystals... are familiar. Mothercrystals not so much. But aether? Gaia spent enough time in Kamurkia to understand that it's rare for someone to mention that term in the context she is familiar with. Thus, Barnabas earns a surprised look.

"Yes." She doesn't even think to censor herself. "And you use that term as I would." Whether or not there may be subtle differences is moot to the generalization. Gaia does consider whether Barnabas might be from one of those other worlds connected to the one she knows.

She certainly is distracted from its looming presence momentarily by this revelation. But Gaia will not miss the behemoth. It's enough of a pull to those senses Barnabas would like more details of that he won't get an immediate answer.

Her head snaps to the other side of the bridge. Whatever distance might remain, Gaia has the sense to move a little closer to the man; if there is indeed a threat laying ahead.

"...Seems the only danger isn't in the land. Does that normally happen?" She points in the beast's direction. It's clear the teen thinks Barnabas has some serious housecleaning to do right on the verge of returning home.

[odinpusrex]

"That you should understand it as I do speaks much of our world's similarities." He offers neutrally, though it is not without interest in this fact. Many worlds share in some details, general similarities and some more specific, but aether being recognized as she has done so is interesting.

Her question, and his attention drawn to the watchful behemoth pulls a quiet sound of muted amusement from him. Almost a chuckle, but not quite...

"You need not worry. The behemoth will stay at its post, for you are my guest." He says this as if it is entirely reasonable for someone to have a behemoth as a guard, let another have one trained as he has. Something as mundane to him as having a young horse trotting besides them as they make their way across the bridge.

"I would know more of your world, of the possible similarities it may share with my own. Know you aught of Eikons?"

[hammerbearer]

Her focus is one who is ready for combat; at least in defense while Barnabas handles his 'uninvited' house guest... only to startle as she finds out that is far from what the behemoth actually is.

"You mean that is one of your fort's guardians?" Look, she knows beasts can be tamed and even become devoted companions but a Behemoth palpably radiates a degree of wildness and power that makes it seem anyone thinking to control one for their benefit and arm is doing something synonymous with abject folly. Her surprise is going to be evident. Though as it becomes evident this is just how things are here, she'll start to calm down again.

And cross the bridge, though her eyes often drift in suspicious caution and doubt to the lurking monster.

Eikons? At first it appears that Gaia is going to answer 'no'. The word Eikon is not one that's used on the First and if it had been, that was over a hundred years ago at the very least. Yet somewhere in her psyche stirs the memories of knowledge from countless worlds, books of history or stories read in the Crystarium and musings of people from the Source overheard when discussing the beings she knows by another name.

"...Eikons. Do you perhaps mean Primals? Such as Shiva? Ramuh?"

...The latter a name sparked by the ambient aether currently charged with levin and ironically recalled in the near future, when she first meets Cidolfus Telamon. But that's a story for later.