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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The moment Connor detects a change in Hank's breathing, he turns off the heat and is at Hank's side.]

Hank? Can you listen to my voice? Can you focus on it? I'm going to slow your breathing with a count.

[He's not sure if Hank will pay any attention to him, but Connor is determined to try.]

Inhale. 1-2-3-4. Hold. 1-2-3-4. Exhale. 1-2-3-4. Hold. 1-2-3-4.

[Hank’s first thought is “no, you are not going to fucking ‘slow down my breathing with a goddamn count,’” but he doesn’t say it. Because he’s tired, and this is Connor.]

I’m listening, yeah. [A mumble.] Focusing, sure.

[And he tries the count thing, but it’s just pissing him off more, making his breaths heavier because he sucks at all this. After a while, he manages to calm himself enough to ask:]

Can you just... talk? About anything.

[And the counting doesn't help. Connor takes it in stride.]

I miss Detroit. I'm not supposed to want things, but getting to know you did make me want. I wanted to get a chance to see Sumo again. The Chicken Feed. We were leaving Kamski's when I arrived in Solmara.

[Connor quietly sighs.] I've missed you quite a bit, Hank.

[Hank wants to be a contrary little shit, because he’s old and he’s been through hell, but — Connor’s been through worse hell. And Connor is still going through that hell.

...And Hank is making it worse.]

You miss Detroit, huh? [He sucks in a breath, and it’s starting to finally feel like actual air in his lungs. Not some heavy bullshit trying to suffocate him.] I missed you too, Connor.

[He wouldn’t be here on the cusp of hyperventilating if he didn’t. And Hank can’t help but laugh shakily now: at how pathetic he is. How he’s wasting his time, their time, when he could be — at the very least — holding himself together. For Connor.

Hank slowly starts to sit up. Turning to Connor: clenching the front of his shirt now, mindful of where he’s hurt. Hank may be distressed, but he remembers that.]

You really are here, aren’t you?

I'm really here, Hank. Etraya may not be perfect, but it allows me to see you-- and Sumo-- again.

[Connor stares into Hank's eyes, earnest as he can be.]

Y’know, when I first met that other Connor, the one that was here before, I thought he was some kind of projection. Accused him, even.

[It still feels weird to tell Connor about his past selves, even though this is different. The last Connor didn’t die. But he still got zapped out of existence — out of Hank’s life — so it hurts. Will always hurt, deep down.

And Hank hasn’t died here, but he could. And like Connor, he’d just keep coming back and back.

Unlike Cole. Hank can’t have his son back, and for a while he thought he could have Connor. But then Connor was gone again, and now he’s here, saying over and over that he’s going to leave, too.

There’s just a spiral of leaving, ad nauseum. What makes this time any different? Why should it be? What has Hank done to deserve that?]

Thank you. For being here. If I were you — hell, I dunno. [Hank lets go of Connor’s shirt. Drumming his fingers along the table to hide the way his hand shakes.] Would have fucked right off when I saw me, maybe.

[Despite being let go, Connor doesn't move back. He remains in Hank's space.]

We're family, Hank. [Connor mentally notes not to mention his potential leaving again.] I've never had that before.

[He might be close with his co-conspirators, but Hank is family.]

We’re family. [Hank nods slowly.] And you never forget that, okay? No matter what happens.

I never got to say it before — to the last Connor, or any Connor. But I’m sorry for how I treated you back home. Doesn’t matter what I was going through, or what shitty justification I had in my head. And I’m not tryna absolve myself, or whatever.

[Hank clears his throat.]

Just wanted you to know.

Your actions were understandable and not at all unique. People hate androids.

[But things are different now. Now they're family.]

Are you feeling up to eat anything? We can talk more after dinner.

Don’t try to excuse my bullshit, Connor. If I had treated you better...

[How might things be different now? Would Connor have deviated earlier?

Regardless, Hank’s stomach rumbles.]

Yeah, I could go for some food. Didn’t mean to interrupt your cooking. You ever see me freak out again, you can just — [Hank gestures vaguely with his hand] — ignore it.

Anyway. Yeah. Talking would be... good. After.

[Especially if Hank can let himself forget for five minutes that the world sucks and they are on the precipice of disaster.]

[Connor lingers for a moment before nodding. He stands up an heads back to the stove to turn the heat back on. The buns come off quick and then the patty not long after.]

You prefer cheese, ketchup, mustard, and onion on your burgers, correct?

Now we’re in fuckin’ business.

[Hank hasn’t bothered to fluff up any of his meals in ages. When Vincent came over, even that was just steak — and wine, but just a steak cooked in some oil.]

Smother that burger with onions, Connor. And cheese.

Will do. [Connor smiles as he looks over at Hank and then back to the meal at hand. He briefly sautés the onions in the same pan as the patty and then assembles it all, ducking into the refrigerator for the cheese and other condiments. By the time he's finished, the burger looks like a primetime cooking show result rather than a run of the mill burger.

He serves it up to Hank and then goes back to the fridge for some carrots and a glass of cold water.]

Now, wouldja look at that? [Hank whistles.] Thanks, Con.

[The burger tastes even better than it looks with the sauteed onions, the cheese ever so slightly melting over the patty.

But, more importantly:]

Did you enjoy that? [Which sounds like a weird question to just toss out.] Cooking, I mean.

[Hank’s still wanting Connor to find things he enjoys.]

I like doing new things. [Connor smiles at Hank.] I've never cooked before, so I'm glad that you like it.

[He sits across from Hank at the table.]

You likely don't want to hear the caloric intake and nutritional facts.

Nope. Definitely don’t wanna hear it.

[Hank takes another bite. Closes his eyes.]

Shoulda seen me the first time I tried to cook. Some bean and cheese thing, I dunno. In the oven. Then I was too lazy to take it out of the oven, so I just turned it off. Left it to cool — thought I was so damn smart. Burnt the thing to an absolute fucking crisp.

[Which is Hank’s verbose way of saying:]

You did good, Connor. Hopefully someday you can cook for someone else, too — if you want, I mean.

I don't anticipate cooking for anyone else unless they stay over.

[Connor refrains from mentioning any of the health facts on Hank's dinner.]

I do hope to cook more for you. It seems there are more resources than Solmara and food is available here.

That’s real nice of you, Connor, but you can — I mean, you know you can leave, right? [Hank doesn’t like the wording there — leave — so he adds:] The apartment, I mean? I’m not holding you captive.

Don’t have many guests here. [Two, maybe, in all the months Hank has been here.] So I guess I get your cooking to myself for a while.

I will have to leave the apartment at some time. [To meet with his co-conspirators.] Accelerator says he will be able to get parts for me.

[See, Hank. It’s all good ~~for now.~~]

Are there other dishes you enjoy?

Accelerator’s a good kid.

[He cared a lot about the previous Connor, and Hank hoped he’d end up feeling the same for Connor now.

But Hank is still going to worry every time Connor leaves the apartment. Assuming he’s working on that mission of his, yeah, but for other reasons, too. Like what if Connor gets hurt more? What if he gets scared? Lonely?]

I like lots of food. Not too picky. Spaghetti. Hmm. [Trying to think of the kinds of food he hasn’t had in a long time.] Those deep fried potato things. Those big ass bowls of ramen — you know that slimy seaweed? That’s good shit. Don’t tell anyone I said that.

[Hank smiles: soft, short.]

What you could do, though, is get a cookbook. Try making the stuff that sounds fun for you.

[Worry most about the time Connor leaves with a loaded pistol, Hank.]

I'll find a recipe for ramen first.

[And then something strikes Connor's mind.]

I hope you know the feeling's mutual, Hank. I spent many nights alone, often in a similar state of disrepair, wondering if you would arrive while wishing you wouldn't.

Things are not well in Solmara. There are barely enough materials to comprise rations. There's certainly not enough to repair me.

I know. I mean, that makes sense. It’s just — [staring down at the half remaining burger in his hands as he tries to wrap his head around the concept] — hard to imagine you might’ve missed me as much as I missed you, but that’s not fair. Not fair at all.

[Hank is selfish, see. And sometimes the logical part of his brain decides to go on vacation so his very irrational, emotional side can take center stage.]

Doesn’t mean much now, but I wish I could’ve been there with you. I would’ve been a mess there too, probably. And I wouldn’t want you to have to deal with all that, but — wish I could’ve been there for you.

[Hank raises his head.]

Accelerator’s gonna help get you all fixed up, yeah? He’s smart. And he cares about people. Even though he’s stubborn. Gotta put up that devil-may-care front, y’know?

You'd be starving, Hank. Possibly have injuries that no one could properly heal. [It's a bleak place, that Solmara.] I would be watching you suffer every day. It's eventually how I decided I never wanted you to show up. But then I got here.

[And for an android that isn't supposed to feel, Connor sure is full of feelings.]

Maybe you could've stopped some of the damage. Maybe even stopped Him from kicking me into a 50-foot drop. But I'm glad you didn't, if it meant you were here. I'm here now, too. And I'll be repaired soon.

[The only hitch is the mission. Something written into Connor that he can't ignore.]

Edited (could've not couldn't) 2025-02-24 02:58 (UTC)

And I’d be watching you suffer right back. Because as fucked up as it is, I’d rather have that than think I wasn’t ever gonna see you again.

But you’re right. [Hank nods.] You’re here now, and I’m getting all into past theoreticals. What matters is that you’re here.

It’ll be nice — seeing you repaired. [More awkward wording that Hank hurries to explain, brow furrowing.] Wanna see you whole and happy and healthy.

[Connor registers that yes, that is quite fucked up Hank.]

It will be easier to interface with others with all my parts where they should be.

[Pause.] And I would be whole and happy and healthy.

[Which makes thinking about the mission all that harder.]

cn: panic attack 😭

Re: cn: panic attack 😭

cn: panic attack 😭

Re: cn: panic attack 😭

cn: panic attack 😭

cn: panic attack + mention of Cole

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