MAY MINGLE

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: May 17th-31st
WHERE: On Etraya
WHAT: A mingle log!
NOTES\WARNINGS: N/A, please note any needed warnings in threads.

⏵ a hero's return ⏴ As champions exit the Labyrinth, they’ll find that their environment has gone through some fairly drastic changes. Where there used to be larger bodies of water is now thinner rivers going through land; the amount of bridges connecting landmasses has decreased, given what had been individual islands are now much more connected. In addition, Etraya is significantly more green; flowers bloom, birds chirp cheerfully, and there are numerous additional species of insects, mammals, and aquatic creatures throughout the lands. Baby foxes roam through forested areas, bees pollinate the flowers to spread them more thoroughly around the inhabited areas, and it feels brighter. Or perhaps that’s just in comparison to how the Labyrinth had been. There are more areas to explore, new facilities, animals, and Etraya feels significantly more settled than it had before. Aurora’s promise of renovations had been true. And if one looks up, they may notice a city bubble visible on the closest planet that hadn't been visible before. ⏵ coffee break ⏴ After hearing Clarke’s suggestion, Aurora sets up a new cafe close to the apartment complex, and sends out notices to individuals with mandatory coffee hour times listed for them to come to Corrine's Cafe and make a few friends. While the note does state that it is mandatory, there will be no follow-up from Aurora nor the companion bots to ensure those who receive notes do show. Given this is Aurora trying to take suggestions in mind and see how successful they are among the citizens of Etraya, however, following directives may not be a terrible idea. It's up like a modern-day, smaller cafe. One walks in through the front door, and is greeted by a companion bot behind the counter who offers a wave of their hand and a friendly “Welcome! Let me know when you’re ready to order”. The menu offers lattes, mochas, espresso, black coffee, several different kinds of teas, and a few drinks that are a little odd to find in a cafe; ale, canned sodas and coffees, numerous bottles of wine, but only pinot noir. Soft music plays in the background, impossible to place but it sounds as if it may be based on tracks that were popular in the early 90s. Tables and booths are set up to seat two to four, with packets of sugar and small containers of creamer set out towards the middle. There are charging stations set up at every table, which may seem strange considering phones and laptops aren’t widely available, but Aurora’s doing her best. There are also a few bookshelves full of the classics, a few historical fiction, and several written by H.P. Lovecraft. Each seat has a placard in front of it, with a name, and a ‘fun fact’. One might say “Hello! My name is Joe, and I like to paint!” Another may say “Hi, I’m Jill! My sister died tragically in front of me and I’ve never gotten over it.” ⏵ new horizons ⏴ Several of the new bridges found in Etraya now have signs posted just outside of them, and on those signs is a QR code that the earpiece’s HUD can scan. Scanning this with the HUD will bring up a scavenger hunt, listing several items and circling areas where they can be found. Some of these objects will be obvious: find Corrine at Corrine’s Cafe - the companion bot who runs the counter, find a delicious meal at Bangsan Market, break into S.T.A.R Labs, or find room 87 at Point Blanc Academy. Some will be less obvious, like locating a bat, becoming friends with an archer, find a pink shirt, open bagged milk without making a mess, or get a drink at the mutant-friendly pub. Please feel free to make up your own items to find around Etraya! ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Welcome to our mid-month mingle! Please feel free to use this to explore Etraya, put up wildcard prompts (you don't need to use the above!), or use the open prompts to assist in jumpstarting cr. This mingle covers the period from May 17th to May 31st. Our next mission (and next mod log) will not go up until June 7th. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

hannibal lecter | ota

[relished]

𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐❜𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 ↠ 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒔

[he emerges from the labyrinth dirtier than he's ever been before. his clothes are somewhat tattered, stained and bloodied. he is alone and exhausted, far from his usual well-kept appearance. he doesn't spend any time lingering around the exit. his new surroundings are refreshing, and while he does appreciate the new-found flora and fauna, he desperately wants a shower.

it's not that he gets turned around. a few extra pathways end up leading him somewhere completely different. that difference is all he needs, because it's minutes to an addition he's sure was not there before: his home. he stands before it, lips parted, the only indication of awe. all that time in the labyrinth allowed for an entire house, and he's sure even more, to appear. the first thing he does is shower and dress himself in yet another immaculate suit, then he is out grocery shopping, wandering through the kwik trip (with much disappointment at the selection) and bangsan market. he purchases only the best selection of meats, herbs and vegetables -- not to mention a bottle of red wine -- he can find before returning home to make himself a home-cooked meal.]

𝒄𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌

[the notification for the coffee hour is one that he decides to follow up on only after a full 24 hours worth of rest. the cafe itself isn't terrible, he decides, but it's not one that he'll be found at very often unless he has a sudden knackering for it (he doubts he will). he is refreshed, relaxed. he doesn't seem at all affected by the previous days spent in the labyrinth and thanks to a young woman, the bite on his right forearm, though hidden by his shirtsleeve, has healed much faster and already begun to scar. his motor function has also completely returned.

the placard with his name on it is a distasteful little addition that his fingers find to adjust, but not remove: "Hello, my name is Dr. Hannibal Lecter: I am an excellent cook." it seems the little note has left much to the imagination and encouraged his ego, unlike a few of the other placards that reveal what may be uncomfortable facts.

he's brought a sketchbook from home with him, along with a few pencils, in hopes to sketch the creatures he encountered in the maze from memory. once he's nicely settled in his seat, sketchbook and pencils laid out neatly, he orders a cup of earl grey tea.

the music is somewhat grating to him, so he won't be sticking around for too long. as time goes by, his talents emerge on the paper. it's as if he's sketching from a model, each line so straight, every detail paid attention to.]

𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅

( or make up your own scenario! he'll be spending a lot of time in his home (finally) and also kind of turning his old apartment into an office space. he'll definitely be taking more strolls, noting new locations, etc. literally bump into him anywhere, figuratively or literally, the world is your oyster folks. feel free to message me on turnt or pm his journal if you're unsure about something :) )

→ new horizons

[onlychildsyndrome]

[ there is a dirty, bloodied young man sitting on the floor in the snacks aisle at the kwik trip. the companion bots are cleaning the track of mud he left behind him, but he still stinks.

he's obviously fresh out of the maze, tearing open lunchables and sodas and eating them like he hasn't had any food in days. there's a bloodied butcher knife on the floor next to him and he grabs it and wields it at the companion bots that dare to approach him, like some hissy, feral cat. ]

[relished]

[he's strolling two aisles down when he catches that ever-so familiar scent of old, dried blood, mixed with earth and sweat. he follows it, curiously but not in any hurry. he stands at the end of the aisle for a moment to watch this young creature scavenge.

he lets out a quiet breath. he has decided there are too many unaccompanied children on this planet and wonders if Echo has ever thought of lord of the flies.

he approaches carefully, looking at the companion bot with a bored expression as it whirs away before focusing on the boy. there is a wildness to him, isn't there?]

Those aren't very good for you.

[onlychildsyndrome]

[ Junior's shirt is covered in dry blood in a pattern suggesting he bled out from a chest injury, there is wildness to him, all born out of repeated trauma while having no tools to process it.

He looks up, this guy has gotta be the best-dressed one he's seen in this place. And he's clean so he must've made it out of the maze days ago. He's kinda curious about how late he was getting out. ]

It's self-care. I deserve a little treat after dying. Again.

[ His tone is very dry, it's easier to be blasé about terrible things than to acknowledge they're terrible. ]

[relished]

[again? so far, Clarke is the only one he's spoken to that has died on this trap of a planet, but she was older and far more weathered than he expected a teenager to be. did Echo only want to take traumatized children?]

I'm sorry. You've died more than once here?

[by all means, gorge your little heart out, kid. but he's not sure why he wouldn't want something fresh. a kid like this, he wonders why Junior didn't go straight to get a burger. maybe this was the closest thing. judging from his clothes, the familiarity of lunchables are likely more comforting.]

coffee break

[hypnagothic]

[ there's a man that slowly walks into the cafe wearing what looks like a long, dark robe over equally dark yet casual clothing, but his upright posture and confident poise make it seem less ridiculous than it might appear on anyone else. he pauses once inside the door to glance around subtly, barely moving except for his eyes and the slightest turn of his head. when he notices the placards on the surrounding tables, he finally steps further in to view what's on display.

he comes to a stop just next to Hannibal's table, finding a placard that states "Hello, one of my names is Morpheus, and I am bad at small talk!" with a hint of a frown on his mostly opaque expression, his lips pursing just ever so. however, he finds the next table to be of more interest, his head turning to watch for a few moments as the man sitting there sketches. he isn't overly intrusive, especially since he remains silent while watching, but perhaps his mute, onlooking presence might grate on the artist ... ]

[relished]

[Hannibal's head barely shifts, the only indication that he acknowledges he is being watched. he expected as much, bringing his sketchbook with him, but his olfactory sense confuse him. he recognizes the scent that lingers nearby, but out of the corner of his eye he realizes it is not the person he knows with that scent.

it's the confusion that has him look at the strange man, blinking twice. yes, this person is enveloped in someone else's scent, but none of his own. there are no layers, no sweat or musk, only a strange emptiness. he almost wants to lean in closer, but instead he tips his chin in partial greeting, hoping to catch anything else.

but there is nothing. an odd, almost eerie silence lingers. eyes flit to Morpheus' neck to look for a pulse.]

Good afternoon.

[hypnagothic]

Greetings.

[ he speaks like any man would do, but while there's the subtle movements of speech under the skin of his throat—the bobbing of an Adam's apple, the muscles stretching with a turn and tilt of his head in an answering nod—there's no pulse fluttering under the skin. and even more, while there's air to produce the sound from his form, the voice perhaps surprisingly low for his thin frame, there's otherwise no breathing between the words. ]

I see you've an eye for detail as well as a talent of recollection.

[relished]

[Morpheus has successfully grabbed all of Hannibal's attention. the pencil is put down, straightened on an empty part of the paper. there is a lack of humanness to the other man that has him straightening his shoulders even more. he's encountered people who have powers here, even seen them being used in the labyrinth, but all of them had a pulse.

a slight narrowing of his eyes, but hardly noticeable. he takes to compliments well and returns it with a small smile of gratitude.]

Thank you. [two very different beasts are in this cafe.] I came across many creatures I only read about in the labyrinth, and some I hadn't read about at all.

coffee break }

[matermali]

[ For her part, Vanessa has done well enough to cover up her lingering exhaustion by now, shielded by dark lace and the barest hint of makeup. Though she hasn't done anything special to accessorize beyond the necklace hidden beneath her bodice, she has been very particular in how her hair has been pinned back. Almost painfully particular, with even the loose wisps carefully chosen.

So little one can control, and it becomes less and less by the day.

There aren't many others who go to such efforts for their appearance, both in garb and behavior, but any who do would inevitably draw her attention. One such has been Dr. Lecter, who she is relieved to see in one piece after recent trials. His posture is carefully considered on silent approach, wondering at any possible injury, but she doesn't immediately announce herself to inquire after him or his placard.

Instead, she lingers behind, somewhat off to the side, to try and see what he may be drawing. She wouldn't want to crudely interrupt an artist's work, after all. ]

[relished]

[it seems he has been graced with polite onlookers today, though if Vanessa were to interrupt him he wouldn't mind -- he knows she is there by the bergamot and patchouli that gently wafts through the air over his shoulder as the door of the cafe closes.

his sketch is coming along nicely; a large, monstrous black stag with the snout close to a dragon, teeth bared and sharp as knives. the detail is impeccable.]

You are welcome to sit with me, Miss Ives.

[said as he begins to look up and turn his head in her direction, eyes quickly scanning her for signs of distress. it seems she has escaped the labyrinth unharmed, at least at first glance.]

[matermali]

[ For her part, she has been lucky to escape the previous trial mostly unscathed. Any bruising is easily ignored and already nearly healed, but then she has always recovered from physical strife a bit quicker than most people. The mental and emotional stress, well, that is another matter, but likewise left behind as she draws closer with a polite smile in place once across from him.

Vanessa takes her seat with an initial silence, somehow moving the chair without it scratching the floor, but once seated, she feels the desire to inquire. One such as her can't help but be drawn to such a monstrous creature when it nearly comes to life on the page. ]

Something seen, or something imagined?

[relished]

[once she settles across from him -- always quiet, he attributes a ghostliness to her -- the pencil is set down. it would be impolite for him to continue now that she's joined him. he reaches for his teacup, but doesn't pick it up yet, only braces a finger against the handle.]

Seen. Took a hearty bite out of my right arm.

[and yet he's not bothered by it, more interested. he takes a sip of the tea, is dissatisfied with its taste, but doesn't show it. there aren't many fine things here.]

Are you doing well?

coffee break

[fourthwalled]

Oooh, whatcha drawin'? [Wade approaches the familiar man from behind, peering at the drawing pad as he sips his iced mocha frappuccino with added chocolate ships through a straw. He's got his mask half pulled up his face, costumed this time, but he'll likely still recognize the scars.

In the spot across from Hannibal is Wade's own placard that says 'Hi! I'm Wade Winston Wilson. I can't be killed! Ask me How!']

!!!

[relished]

[oh, he knows that voice. pencil pauses on paper and he is internally preparing for Wade's personality. he glances down to the table, wonders if that placard had always been there. he clicks his tongue quietly after reading it and turns himself just slightly to look at the man standing by him.]

Beasts that revealed themselves in the labyrinth.

[he eyes the costume, wonders if there are others that gallivant around in disguises.]

Hello, Wade.

[fourthwalled]

Pretty sure I fought a manticore at one point. Was hoping for David Bowie, but I'll take it.

[He leans back in his chair, sipping his drink, reading the other man's placard.] Hello, Hannibal. So... what's your favorite thing to cook?[Heh.] Me? I make a mean pancake!

[relished]

A manticore. Fascinating creatures. Did it sting you?

[how Wade jumps from manticore to David Bowie is beyond him. in fact, tracing Wade's train of thought is likely only to cause a headache. there is a stillness between them before he answers. he's dubbed Wade as the kind of person to press in other, equally overbearing ways should he avoid to answer him now.]

Pancakes are quite comforting for most. One of my favorites is a stuffed heart.

New Horizons

[morethan084]

[Daisy's only been out of the labrinyth a few hours, but when she comes back to the apartment to find Joric not there, she's on a mission to find him. She hasn't seen him since they got separated after the dragon's attack on them, and the lack of his belongings in their apartment makes her feel sick to her stomach with worry.

Exhausted, dirty, and in a a lot of pain won't stop her from searching every area possible.

Coming across a home she hasn't seen before, Daisy walks up the path and knocks on the door.]

[relished]

[while Hannibal isn't expecting any visitors, he's sure that some would let curiosity get the best of them and they would investigate sooner or later. he's in the middle of cooking a lovely meal, the smell of pork cooking with various herbs -- garlic, thyme, rosemary. the smells waft through his hallways and has attached to him as he opens the door to-]

Daisy.

[his eyes travel from her shoes and back up to her face, taking her in. she's quite dirty. he stands in the doorway, not quite opening it in a welcoming way.]

Is everything all right?

[morethan084]

[Daisy’s already prepared to ask whoever answers the door questions, but she is momentarily surprised to see it’s Hannibal. He looks fine, and she only now thinks about those who must’ve gotten out of the labyrinth before her.

No. Everything is not alright.]

I’m looking for someone. I thought, maybe they’ve—

[Her voice gets caught in her throat, unable to stop the feeling of helplessness seeping in. Her gut feeling tells her that he’s gone, but she can’t bring herself to believe that.]

He’s tall with long brown hair and a beard. Have you seen him?

[relished]

[usually, Daisy did not allow herself to look as broken as she does now. she must be desperate to show this side of herself to him, she must have known the man she's looking for well.

with a small shake of his head after she describes Joric:] No.

[to let her in or not, he weighs the pros and cons. he isn't particularly concerned about her, but all of his reservations are hidden behind a feigned, worried expression.]

Have you tried the network?

wildcard - network

[thetombkeeper]

[Marik was quiet until he was finally relieved of his siren affliction on the 21st. After having mostly holed himself up in his apartment to avoid biting random people, he finally sends a message to Hannibal. He would have sent one earlier but... his mental state was shaky at best.]

I'm back and safe. Hope you managed to get out in one piece too.


[ooc: no rush on tagging this since we have the other thread going on still. <3]

network, voice

[relished]

[the sound of the notification annoys him. he would have thought Marik had gathered Hannibal spent little time engaging with those over the network, even less so by texting. he despised it. he only spent time on it to gather information. he refuses to text back, instead using the voice function to set the tone.]

Yes, thank you. You are welcome for coffee tomorrow morning-- 9am. My house is north of Bangsan Market.

network, voice

[thetombkeeper]

[Sorry, Hannibal. Marik figured a text would be okay because he could get to it whenever and not need to respond right away. Convenient and whatnot. It is a bit unusual for the teen to text rather than send a voice message though as every previous time has been either that or him calling.

It's a relief to know the man is alright. And the invitation is comforting as always. What does get the tomb keeper to stop sulking on his couch is the mention of a house. So Hannibal receives a voice message back asking:]

Bangsan. That's one of the new locations, isn't it?

... Wait. You moved?

network, voice. ➳ action

[relished]

[kids these days. public communication is yucky!]

I did. I'll see you tomorrow.

𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 26𝘵𝘩
[Hannibal has always been an early bird, but had allowed Marik an hour or so to gather himself. he doesn't expect others to have the same kind of routine as he does -- they hardly ever do -- and while he does enjoy sleeping in sometimes, his idea of sleeping in isn't anything past 9 or 10am. he's happy that most of his items arrived with his home.

he makes sure the coffee is ready exactly at 9. he uses a Belgium royal coffee maker, a siphon-like machine that produces an excellent, dark roast. fruits and vegetables are arranged in bowls along the island counter, a colorful array of the best he could find. he has fresh pressed orange juice in a decanter as well as water boiling in a kettle, should Marik decide to forgo the coffee.

hopefully the young man is punctual.]