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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"Who ever asks to be born at all?" His tone remained chipper, of course. He was fanciful about the whole magic ability, though he could understand the danger of it as well. "So, you were like a slave for your abilities then?" There was a pang of familiarity in the tale of subjugation, though everyone in the undercity generally had no fantastical abilities. "Well, I think your abilities are neat."

Vander noticed the walk, of course, but he said nothing about it. He was puffing on the cigar with the box of beer still under his arm, and he willingly took the bottle and drank a swig from it. He used the neck of the bottle to gesture towards their destination.

"Ah well, at least when you're already a ground zero on the approval level, you honestly only have upwards to go," he remarked. He experienced much the same at this point from everyone but... maybe one person? At least Jayce thought he wasn't a complete disappointment; he couldn't read Viktor yet. "Is there a reason you live with a guy who is constantly disappointed in you? Or just comfort in the familiarity of the place?"

He’s drunk, he’s in a good mood despite how he’s walking, he likes the guy- There’s no danger here, it’s bound to come out.

“No. No one would dare to attempt to shackle me. …I’ve got a reputation. I’m more of a shackle breaker. You’d know if they ever caught me. The facial brand isn’t subtle. But they’d die trying- they always did.”

Cid laughs at his next question. Why did he live with Barnabas?

“I’m working on him. He lost his mind a while back, but I think I can find it for him. In his defense- or well, make it softens it. He’s disappointed in everyone. Sort of his thing.”

Cid stumbles for a moment, snagging Vander’s belt to right himself, then acting like it never happened.

Vander was not drunk at all, and that was becoming a sad little problem they may have to deal with. Of course, a twenty minute walk left plenty of opportunity for him to study his new 'friend'. Perhaps all of this lead to a level of honesty they wouldn't otherwise obtain with each other outside of repeated conversations.

"Ah, you're an effective shit disturber," he said to show his understanding. "So you make it part of your job to free other Bearers who have been branded then and bring them back to safety to this country?"

He didn't even move to help with the stumble, but once Cid had righted himself, Vander made a point and slinging his arm across the back of the other man's shoulders and hold him up against his body in a friendly gesture. His fingers held onto armour so it was nearly impossible to fall.

"Ah, yeah, I had someone like that that I knew. Sour little weasel where disappointment was his idea of motivating a group," he remarked with a shake of his head as he dragged on the cigar and blew smoke. "So you're living with him because he's a work-in-progress, huh? Ambitious of you. I suppose it puts you in good position to smother him with a pillow if he annoys you too much."

Though... well Cid seemed remarkably easy-going in the brief time Vander knew him. Maybe it was the alcohol and the random risky sex.

“Yeah- More or less.” More or less this was the King’s personality, and more or less this was the truth of his work.

“The King is an interesting by fellow. He cut allied ties with the countries that performed and upheld the social ramifications of branding.”

Cid is glossing some things over. But the meat of it, the core is the important part.

“He’s a tough customer, but remember that he’s a good man, if you ever meet him. But- yeah. I’m living with him to remind him of who he really is. Considering our whole mission, it’s best to stay on his good side.”

Cid readjusts his hand now that Vander is actively holding him a bit more upright.

“I’ll take the case- you drink the beer, eh? And who’s this sour lil’ weasel? Sounds lovely.”

"So do all Bearers have similar abilities to yours, or are you all unique in what magic you can access?" He had no idea except for the books he's read or the tales that have been told when he was boy. Magic seemed to have different varieties.

"How long have you been with the King?" Obviously the two had a long history to be able to tell these kinds of tales after all. "I don't think I've met him yet, but maybe I intend to now that you speak highly of him."

Ah yeah, the mission. Vander wished there was more commitment from those of his world to save it, but that was a big ask. Everyone had agendas. He drank from the bottle and offered it back to Cid, still keeping the case tucked under his arm with a cigar between his fingers and offering the bottle. Bartending came with certain developed skills.

"You'll know him if you meet him, believe me. He's a skinny spiteful man with a temper, but he's the most driven man I know. Nothing stops him when he wants something." Except one person apparently....

“They’re all fairly unique. Sure, there’s only so many elements to command, but each person tends to have a natural affinity to some part of the elemental wheel- as well as differing depths of mastery,” this was basic, though some part of him still crinkled up as he explained it to an outsider. “Some of them go hand in hand, like fire and lightning. Some talented few can heal…”

He chews the inside of his cheek at this question. Also the turn of phrase “been with” is incredibly vulnerable. But he’s too drunk to hold that information close. “Twenty, twenty-five years or so…”

“What’s his name?” He files all that information away, confident that he’ll be able to recall it sober, anyway. He wasn’t so far gone. Just a bit sloppy.

He found all of this information extremely fascinating and novel, but he also knew that aside from watching others with their special abilities, he wouldn't experience it himself. He had his strengths and his skills, and he was confident with them. Still, this was an opportunity to learn about people from different worlds unique to this near-slavery experience. "And do you experiment with this magic in the workshop that you're taking me to?"

He noted the subtle action as he was far more intent on watching Cid than he was where they were going. Ominous castle was only creeping closer the more they walked, but Cid was an interesting drunk man. He whistled in appreciation. "That's a long time. Lots of history and loyalty built up in that many years." He felt a complicated pang to his chest, one he wasn't willing to invest time to parse through right now.

He took a drag from the cigar instead, blowing smoke from his nostrils. It was his turn to mull over the question, simple though it was. "Silco," he said softly. There was a whole mess of emotion, history and experiences tied up in that single word. "Like I said, if you meet him, he'll leave an impression."

“No. I’m an engineer. The magic is sort of incidental to it all. Mainly a pain in the ass, though it has its uses. … You see, the magic comes with a curse. More you use it, the more you turn to stone.”

That bit about loyalty is tough to swallow. He hadn’t been loyal. Or he had, in his own way. But he doesn’t let this tinge his voice too much as he give a noncommittal nod. “It certainly is!”

He’s eager to move onto this Silco fellow, though he’s clearly a touchy subject for the other man.

How to get more out of him?

“…Is he dangerous, or just an asshole?”

"Ah, you're a man full of talents." He glanced down, remembering the scarring on Cid's chest while they were on the trolley. It had felt stone-like under his hand. "Is that reversible, or are you going to be hard in select places on your body forever?"

Forced enthusiasm, was it? There was a story behind that, and he filed it away as they continued to walk. Maybe, just maybe, his arm tightened a bit around Cid's shoulders and he readjusted his grip. "So lot of history... I understand."

His other hand reached across them to take the beer bottle back and he chugged half the bottle before offering it to Cid again. "Can't he be both? I'm not giving you more. I'm not drunk enough to discuss that."

“No. There’s no cure, no way to reverse it. At least not as far as we know. Happens in animals, too, you know. Gryphons cast such powerful magic so often, eventually they’ll just turn themselves to stone. They never have the sense to stop.” Big talk for a man with plenty in common.

Cid takes a sip, almost just politely before handing it back. He doesn’t have the decency right now not to melt into that grip.

“Aye, he can be both. Most are one and the same, one way or another. Drink up, then. I’m still way ahead of you.”

"Ah, so the fact that you use your magic flippantly for lighting cigars when matches and lighters exist is because you don't care or something that small doesn't matter?" He called it flippant, but Vander wouldn't deny he was impressed by it. This whole magic conversation was interesting. "So... those in stone, are they dead or trapped in that state with awareness?"

Apparently he had a lot of catching up to do to be in a similar state of inebriation as his companion, but if this conversation was going to have traction, he definitely would be soon enough. He made a point of not talking much about his relationships with those of his world much. He remained in the isolated world of: undercity business is undercity business.

"Ah, I see how it is. Ride me on a trolley and now you're getting my drunk for a second round and some kiss and tell time." He wasn't against it. "You're also remarkably good at walking around while drunk."

“Something that small, I mean… It adds up over time, but no one turns to stone just ‘cause they light their own cigars.” Cid absolutely did use his magic when it was perhaps not necessary. “…Don’t worry. It does kill them. We’re granted a single mercy, in that it does end. It’s less entombed in it, and more that the very tissues turn to stone.”

Man, what a bummer. But Cid doesn’t seem too worried about it.

“I’ve got plenty of practice,” he replies with a laugh. “You should see me on a boat, it’s even more impressive when the ocean’s trying to throw me. …But yes, I think I’d like that. If you’re not drunk, this whole thing is unequal. Can’t have you remembering everything I say, now.”

He snaps his fingers at the case. “Look, you’re almost finished with that one. Crack on, hand it to me, I’ll open it for you.”

"I'll take your word for it, since you know the effects and uses of magic far more than I ever will." He supposed if it was a way of life, then the risk of its use was worth it, right? Cid seemed to be living life fast and free, or maybe that was the alcohol and the Valentine's curses the man was probably labouring under. "At least there's an end, though the end point sounds rather awful."

He jammed the cigar between his lips so he could maneuver the case of beer from under his arm to his hand so that he could push it at Cid. If he was aiming for an actual buzz, he actually was going to have to work at it and quickly to overcome his size and weight. "Ah well, I have a sharp memory unless I'm absolutely falling down drunk, and I don't think you could carry me if I was."

He took the bottle from Cid again to finish it off and shrugging his shoulders. "Do you ply all the random strangers to bring back to the sex dungeon - sorry, workshop - this way, or am I special?"

“Unfortunately,” he replies with a bit of finality. Vander hit it right on the head. Sure, there were possibilities that Cid hadn’t even thought to explore just yet. For such a brilliant man, he tended to work in the world external.

Cid takes the case of beer and pulls the flap open a little wider, glass clinking as he juggles it. “I might surprise you, but we shouldn’t start falling down until we’ve got bedding and a hearth.”

“Well excuse me, but I keep the sex dungeon appropriately underground. Can’t have your screams waking up everyone on the islands. The workshop’s got windows and an ocean view. …But I haven’t brought anyone back there just yet. I’ve still been settling in properly.”

So apparently he was special.

Once the box was open wider, he put the empty bottle inside and fished around for a full one. He opened it with his palm and tucked the metal cap back in the box as he began chugged three-quarters of the beer like it was his professional occupation. "By Janna, you're setting the mood for pure romance to off-set the dreary castle vibes. You the type to kick me out in the middle of the night?"

He snorted an amused sound, finishing off the new bottle with another chug and then reaching for another. Because well, it would hit him. Hard. He was looking forward to the risk of it. "Not much of a screamer, but if that is what makes your blood sing, sure thing. You seem the creative sort for a sex dungeon anyway."

He opened the next bottle and brought it to his lips, raising an eyebrow. "Been a long time since a guy made me feel special." It might be a tease but it was also the truth. "Sorry for drinking all your beer. I'll replace the box next time I see you."

“And make you outrun the Behemoths? I’d never,” he says, the words pressed through and formed by his smiling. “I plan on using you as a pillow, anyway. That wouldn’t do me any good.”

Cid cheers at the other man making quick work of the beers. Looks like he’s at least doing him damnedest to catch up.

“Aye, all they cost me was a bit of my time. I was mainly getting the lay of the land. And that, I surely did.” He winks at the other man, though it’s about pitch dark anyway.

But that was a thought for another time.

“… I can get up to a bit of mischief with a pair of cuffs, if that’s what you like.” He said it like it was something he liked, but on the conditional of approval.

“No, no need to drag a case all the way here if you intend to meet me at the pub later. …Though maybe I should get a wagon and stock up properly. There used to be a pub inside the castle walls, you know. It’s quite the journey leaving the citadel for every damn thing.”

"Such a gentleman. Do the behemoths have names?" He hummed as he finished the beer in his hand and then replacing it with another to chase the buzz he knew was coming. "I happen to know I make an excellent pillow, so I appreciate you keeping me alive and well to let you experience it."

He was dropping the empty into the box and pulling another; this was not his first time having to chase down a buzz to enjoy it with another person. He wasn't a light weight, but he also knew himself and heavy drinking was not something he had done in a long time either. Responsible for kids and all.

"I won't deny a little fun restraint," he said, though he was curious of the cuffs. He was capable of breaking out of enforcer cuffs, but also, he had allowed them to hold him during other times. At his size and strength, the idea of forced vulnerability was something he leaned into. "We'll see what mischief we'll get up to in your big ominous castle workshop."

He chuckled as he downed more of his third bottle straight, shaking his head as it was starting to hit him. A low pleasant warmth. "Pub too? You're just riding that drunk high to all sorts of places. You're an easy guy to like, Cid." His arm tightened around the guy's shoulders, his smile turning warmer and a bit goofy.

“That they do. It’ll be Idun that’ll meet us at the gate.”

He pats him on the back as he finishes his third. Thankfully, the castle was finally coming properly into view by now, too. It had loomed on the horizon for a while, but now it was near enough to make out some detail, illuminated as it was by the crackling lightning.

“Yes indeed. I should stop limping by the time we get in, too.” And he was indeed slowly healing up as they went.

"You'll introduce us, no doubt."

Vander knew how to catch up, and he was making quick work on that even as they walked closer to the ominous estate with its dark moody clouds. Looked like a great place to be drunk with a relative stranger, especially apparently with savage guard beasts. The whole ridiculous situation was probably a risk, but he was pleased to take it. He only hoped he had both of his kidneys at the end of this.

Of course, inebriated Vander was more handsy than normal Vander. The arm that had been used to hold Cid up dropped to curl around the other man's waist instead, all so he could slid his fingers up under that armour and shirt and stroke some warm skin while he was at it.

"That's no fun. You look good with a limp. I usually can get at least twenty-four hours of a person for one. Clearly I need to work harder with you."

“Then you’ll have to do it all over again. My apologies, I don’t usually try to make a habit of undoing other mens’ work,” he replies as he grabs Vander’s belt for balance. While he might be healed, he was still drunk, after all. He glances towards the hand coming up his side under his leathers and chuckles.

The audacity of it made him feel younger, somehow- Like he was the plaything, the object in all of this.

“I do indeed expect only excellence from the men around me.”

The castle bridge stand before them, its stone supports plunging into the turbulent ocean below. But the bridge is wide, set with a number of arenas before the actual castle gates. As they set foot of the bridge, a roar thunders from somewhere in the distance.

“Ah. She’s awake.”

"I'm not offended. It only requires a renewed and more vigorous effort on my part," he said, his tone gamely. It wasn't as if he had come out today and sat on a trolley expecting that this was going to be the result. And being taken home after a tryst? That's what friendship was built on sometimes. "Excellence? I'm no soldier or anything, but I like to beat standards so excellence it will be."

His whole hand finally just went up under Cid's shirt and armour, digging his blunt nails in. He was finished off his third and reaching for a fourth from the box. Of course, with his hands full, he had to twist the cap off with his palm and fumbled the metal on the bridge with a combination of the thunder and his own growing intoxication.

"Oh shit, she sounds friendly," he remarked as he took a swig from the newest bottle. He finally had the good sense to offer it to Cid as if they were at the point of sharing again. "Please don't ask me to make a mad dash to a side entrance if she's mad at you bringing a fling home. I'm rapidly losing my ability to run."

Edited 2025-03-16 19:32 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

FEBRUARY MINGLE

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