etrayalogs | FEBRUARY MINGLE

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FEBRUARY MINGLE

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⏴

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[ Right. Right. The direction is over this way, right? Or maybe it was that way...Bruce hates that he can't stay focused long enough to remember the path he takes. He looks at Gorgug and rubs his eyes. ]

No. I can manage.

[ He cannot. ]

[ Gorgug tips his head slightly to the side, looking over the man, the way he rubs his eyes. Is it because Gorgug's big and green, maybe? Actually, his eyes look a little funny. But what's more important is the man's overall appearance, and his answer. ]

Not to be too straightforward, I don't mean to be rude, but you have a cane, and-- it's a really long way. And I have a van? I have a van.

[ He's doing his best here not to say you're really old-looking to the man he just met, even if he really wanted to, there. And didn't. But even apologised for it. ]

[ In his old age, it's even harder to admit that he needs help. Because aging has taken so much from him already. So he often clings to his independence. Terry rarely asks anymore because the answer is always no. So he's taken to just doing what needed to be done.

In the space of Gorgug's sentence, Bruce's forgotten what they were talking about and remembered again when Gorgug mentions the cane. Right he needed to get off the streets. ]

Where? Where is it?

Over-- this way. I parked it by the shop.

[ He does point, but he walks as well, not really slowing his pace since it's not that far. Just by the side of Kwik Trip, and he has some bags in his hands that he wants to put out of the way.

If and when Bruce does follow along, he'll be greeted (as much as his vision will allow) by the sight of a well-loved camper-looking van. Without the sail attached, unfortunately. Gorgug's opened and slipped into the driver's seat, kneeling on it to put the bags behind the two front seats.

And he seems to be talking to someone, with a voice answering... as long as Bruce's hearing isn't going, too. ]

[ Moments like these make him miss Ace more than ever. This wouldn't be an issue had his dog been able to put him on the right track, instead of relying on strangers. He did not like relying on strangers. Age aside, his inability to focus long enough to assess any amount of danger has his hackles raised.

The camper is the first thing he's been able to focus on since he left the Kwik Trip and it puzzles him why. It's not exactly luxurious. But it was far better than walking.

He climbs into the passenger seat, still seeing clearly. Even the young man who'd offered him the ride in the first place he's able to take in.

Hope he's not expecting a thank you. ]

Let's go.

[ While he's got the mind to get back into his own space. ]

Edited 2025-02-26 04:21 (UTC)

We've got a hurry bug with us, have we? Put on a seatbelt, relaaax. We've got you, one apartment ride coming up.

[ Welcome, Bruce Banner, to being in this van. A van occupied by a celestial being with the most chilled out surfer bro voice imaginable. Gorgug's putting on his seatbelt with the other getting in, giving the man a curious look, but also not thinking about a thanks, at least. ]

The apartment right near the hospital, right? I don't know where the other got moved to.

[ He should probably check that on his map... ]

[ The voice grates. It's been quite a long time since he's had to deal with surfer bros. The reminder of that rather exhausting period in his life also makes him grateful that it's over.

Seatbelt buckled. ]

Yes, that's the one.

[ a beat and then: ]

Your van talks?

The angel in my van talks. He's stuck in a gem. [ This makes sense, right. ] His name's Zaphariel.

[ And, on being introduced, the surfer bro chill voice comes through: ] The one and only.

[ For being stuck in a gem, apparently, he doesn't sound bothered. Gorgug starts up the van, the engine's sound more smooth than the tell-tale signs of a gas engine being start up. No noise of an exhaust can be heard, though age is apparent in the van's exterior. ]

Guess you don't hear about that in your world?

It's unusual.

[ But not unheard of it. For a moment, it makes Bruce think of Jason Blood and Klarion. Gorgug nor his talking gem friend needed to know that, though. ]

How did he get stuck in the gem?

[ How did he get stuck in a gem? Gorgug's starting to move the van now, but makes a small 'huh' noise. ]

How did-- you were in a bag when we found you, right--

[ He is talking to the van, obviously, though doesn't need to take his eyes away from the window. ]

Got caught by demons, [ pipes up the Dudebro Angel. ] Bummer, huh? Sealed me up with a magic jar spell, and I've been hanging out in here since. Kind of scrambled up my head 'til Gorgug and his pals gave me the different view!

[ Of being in a van, apparently. But Gorgug's nodding, adding: ] We get around a lot in my van. It turns into a boat, too.

The Van Boat!

The van boat. [ Nodding and repeating in agreement very seriously!! ]

[ It's getting harder to focus again as the van and its (his? their?) driver continue to converse. Bruce rubs a hand against his eye, to see if that would help. It does. A little. ]

Your friends. Are they here with you?

[ He's observed people from the same world on the network so he's well aware it's possible. Whether or not he's clear headed enough to hear the answer is another story entirely. ]

Two of them, [ Gorgug answers. He's a good enough driver that he doesn't know if there's anything telling about the older man's concentration. He's got to concentrate! ] There was someone else, but I guess they're-- back in town?

[ If they are. He's not sure, he's never sure how to sound or to think about that. Not sad, at least, but just unsure.

...but he does glance (just glance!) as he asks the other: ]

You got anyone here?

[ Gorgug's answer and his follow up question are lost - momentarily - in the fog that's come and gone since Bruce left the Kwik Trip. It's frustrating, considering he's never had this problem before. Despite his age, he's remained as clearheaded as he was 50 years ago. ]

No.

[ Which. Technically isn't a lie. None of the Bats here are his. They're different versions of them. They'd probably disagree with his assessment though. ]

I'm fine. I don't need anyone else here.

[ Said to preempt any attempt to offer anymore help than this car ride. ]

Edited 2025-03-23 05:11 (UTC)

No? [ He truly comes off like the grumpy old grandpa that he looks like, huh... he could just be concerned for the people he does know being stuck in a place like them, or he always has this kind of attitude in life. Or why not both? Who wants their grandkids in a place like this, right?

It does make Gorgug curious. If a guy like him is here... ]

So, how've you been doing with the missions? How many have you done?

[ Gorgug is right about that. He wouldn't want his version of his kids here. It was dangerous enough. Better that they stay relatively safe back home.

And he's always been like this. Grumpy and kind of mean. It's just gotten worse as he's gotten older. ]

Fine. Just the one. The train.

[ Ohhh, the train. That one was... well, there was plenty to do. ]

Yeah? I was there, too. Which class were you?

[ Down in the dump side? Some other section? ]

Neon. Administrative.

[ A fitting role all things considered. He wasn't in much of a position to be on the front lines anymore. ]

Yourself?

Sprawl, engineering. I had to go around and do maintenance and check up. Fix stuff. Some people got jobs they'd never done before.

[ Which is to say, by his tone, that he wasn't the same. He's not sure if this man was for him, but, while that mission is over (and missions are rarely the same), it does make him think to ask: ]

You wanna share network names, and see if we can work together on other missions? I could've done knowing more administrators. They wouldn't let me get everything I needed without administration permission. [ A beat. ] We can swap what we're good at, and share info. Most people don't like talking on the network openly.

[ He tried.... it was a mixed bag!! ]

[ He...almost says no, but reconsiders. There's some merit in having someone not a Bat be his eyes and ears. The advantage being Bruce doesn't want to interact with them if he can help it and Gorgug seemed like he knew how to ingratiate himself with others that could be useful.

He doesn't like it, but without Terry, he wasn't going to be left with a whole lot of options. ]

Fine.

Cool. [ He's a man of few words, but what does that matter? ...actually, he can't remember if-- ] Did I ever tell you my name?

[ Kind of important! ]

[ Gorgug, you have no idea. He doesn't think he'd need Gorgug's name, if he's honest. He could probably spot him in a crowd. And yet. ]

No, tell me.

Gorgug. G-O-R-G-U-G -- that should translate okay? That's my network name too. I don't have anything [ ... ] different.

[ You know. Weird. Unique. Funny. Whatever kind of usernames people have around here.

Do you need prompting to give yours, old man!! ]

[ It translates fine. Bruce is clear headed enough to remember it.

He almost doesn't give his name in return. This isn't an equitable exchange after all. But if this partnership is going to work, he should give up something. ]

Bruce. I don't use the network, so you'll have to reach me through my inbox.

[ Whooa... ]

You don't use it at all?

No.

[ He doesn't make it a habit to chit chat on unsecured networks. Or chit chat at all. ]

Is that going to be a problem?

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tinflower - 2025-04-24 14:51 (UTC) - Expand

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knightowl - 2025-04-28 18:20 (UTC) - Expand

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