etrayalogs | MAY MINGLE

MAY MINGLE

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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In ours, perhaps. That we arrived here together lends to hope.

You know that I would walk with you in any world.

[ She can have a world like that in her dreams, but in the waking world? Beyond these 'cities'? Is that still something she should pursue?

'Should' and 'want' are always so conflicting. Even should she want it, nothing has ever really been hers. Nor has she known an ours. ]

I have often felt that I did not belong in the world that I came from. As though I were a broken puzzle piece that could not quite fit...or perhaps meant for an entirely different puzzle. A different image, one that I didn't know how to imagine.

[ Her own voice is kept low, as well, never concerned for his lack of hearing. ]

There was a time when I had fooled myself into thinking there was a corner there for me, after all, with other misbegottens...but I am not so certain of that, any longer. I wonder if I am not instead made for these places forever outside of the puzzle.

There is the possibility of different layers within the puzzle, as well. Different planes. You already know of one that you shared with me early in our acquaintance.

[ Her ghost of a smile tilts as she nods. ]

Mm, another space to seemingly belong where no one is meant to.

[ That was all less than a year ago, but it feels like it's been so much longer. Any such recollections bring back memories of those she knew during that time, and she misses them—those others who she had foolishly hoped to belong with, or even help. ]

What of the Dreaming? Perhaps I am meant to find my way to your home there, after all is said and done.

Mortals are not meant to be in the Dreaming for any extended time.

[ his head tips down slightly at that, a hint of an apology at the denial. ]

A human cannot live in dreams.

[ He's said as much before, to which she offers a light shrug. ]

I believe we have established that I am not like any other human.

[ As much as she revels in the carnal ways of life, it is a difficult thing to imagine abandoning it for something else. That hasn't stopped her from doing so, however.

Or perhaps she is forever meant to exist betwixt. That wouldn't stop her, either. ]

If for nothing else, my power grows. Mr. Crowley was showing me other ways to use my power, and that was with the City's limitations. I am only left wondering how much more these recent entrapments may actually be constraining, and what could be possible if such limitations are overcome. I do not think these tests will end well for our captors.

It is true that you are more than a mere human, and your power can indeed grow without the chains that held it back within that world we escaped. Yet in this life that is yours, you began as human.

[ What does that speak to where she will end up? A different denial has her clinging to that humanity in her, with or without the soul she was born with.

Again, she shrugs, undeterred, if her perked brow is any indication. ]

And humans have surprised even you, isn't that so? You may yet be surprised again, beloved.

[ his expression shifts subtly, a hint of a smile on his lips. ]

You surprise me quite often, my venomous one.

[ Her smile comes easier once more, and there's a hum of satisfaction when taking a quick sip of her soda. ]

On the subject of surprises [ —and venom— ], I discovered a scorpion yesterday, shortly after dusk.

[ Which she meant to tell him, but she's easily distracted when they're alone, and it's hardly important in light of everything else.

And yet. ]

It was blue! [ Her tone lifts slightly, giving way to her excitement as her eyes widen in wonder at the memory. ] Utterly stunning. I consider myself fortunate, having witnessed it without ruining its hunt. It tore a spider into shreds before eating it. Does such a creature exist on Earth, I wonder? Or is it native to this world?

I believe it may, though I'm uncertain if it was the same creature without having seen it. Was it near your chosen residence?

[ She shakes her head slightly. ]

Nearer to the woods, outside of the city. There seems to be even more varied fauna about than before we were forced into the labyrinth. The sight of new buildings suddenly arriving feels similar as before, but this place feels so very different from the last, what with all the wild creatures freely roaming.

[ Not to mention there being 'service' in establishments, to which she'll glance to the robot tending the espresso machine. She isn't as excited about those, but it's difficult to sense anything from them. ]

I've had the thought that one purpose of the foray into the labyrinth was to distract from such changes made to this place, where the work would be unseen.

[ he glances to where she looks, curious of her attention. ]

And miss out on watching their experiment? That is rather difficult to imagine.

[ If there's a sourness to her words, one can hardly blame her. She's been forced into enough experiments for one lifetime, thank you. Even still, it's offered with something of a dark humor when looking back to him. ]

But then I struggle to understand much of what they truly hope to gain from this. I still do not believe the reasonings they claim for our being here. More has been revealed to us than the beginnings of our last city, yet those only lead to more questions.

[ With arms once more folded across the table's edge, she leans in a bit with a curious gaze. ]

Do you think it still possible that this is merely another iteration, or a new realm entirely? That city in the sky has me wondering...

Oh? And what is it you wonder?

[ he's not avoiding her question, exactly, just sidestepping it for the moment, as he often does. he wants to hear what she thinks first. ]

If this is something similar as before, a...simulation, as was claimed, it makes so little sense to be revealing these things to us. Another world made so visible? For a moment, I had wondered if it could be the very city we came from, or where they plan to next test us. Something else of their creation. But the intent there makes even less sense than anything before. It does nothing to further the cause of the City's iterations as we formerly understood them.

Could it be beyond their control, then? Beyond their boundary? Someone we may be able to engage with outside of their influence? If so, that could mean this to be an entirely different realm, after all, and not a...simulation, as I first thought.

[ It's disquieting that she can't entirely tell the difference.

It's nothing more than musing, but she may be wondering just how far her power can reach at this point... ]

Or...I am speaking madness, and it is merely another setting for their next experiment, as first considered. Something I can't yet understand.

We are likely not meant to. But I, too, think that we are in an entirely different realm, beyond the reflection that entrapped us before.

...Then, what would that make them, if Aurora speaks truth? A god? No, something other, something more... Yet different from the Endless. We are to believe this Echo has some control over the worlds across the different planes of existence. Enough control to save some and abandon others at a whim?

[ Which Vanessa still can't believe. How can she? For all she knows, Echo is the one threatening the worlds, and this is all part of that sick game. Somehow that seems so much easier to believe.

Her sigh is nearly silent, but it shows in how her shoulders slightly droop. Only for a moment. She's in public, after all, she can't go slumping around in depression. ]

And yet they would have us sitting down for coffee and tea, suggesting that people inquire after your...gimp mask.

[ What to do but laugh at the absurdity? Well, perhaps not laugh, but there is a dark amusement in her tone. If he is offended by the entire scenario, he hides it better than her, and it makes it easier to keep herself from wallowing. ]

If not control then perhaps influence at the very least. Even an amateur can be fortunate under favorable circumstances.

[ it's said gently, this subtle reminder, having no wish to discuss Burgess further than that, but Vanessa will likely understand the reference he makes.

subtler still is his own sigh, glancing at the offending placard ]

An excuse for conversation. To become better acquainted.

[ Even when considering the one who once captured Morpheus, she struggles to extend that kind of amateur luck any further. Would such a man have succeeded at trapping all of the Endless? Who could trip into such power and not become immediately consumed, themselves?

But on that, she won't prod, setting aside such thoughts for the moment. She isn't in any hurry to address that than she is the state she was in when he first told her of it.

Her chair shifts closer, making it easier to slide her foot further beneath the table and brush her ankle against his. Far from attempting to be cheeky, it's an attempt at quiet comfort, however meager. ]

That much does seem similar to the City—an exercise in camaraderie so as to better come together and save a world.

[ If that's the truth, and for now it may be best to act as such, until she can prove otherwise.

She'll glance again to his placard. ]

However, I feel as though I am missing a finer detail on this particular conversational topic.

[ She doesn't like it when jokes are lost on her, but with how much can get lost in translation, that's nothing new in these other worlds. ]

[ he hums gently in agreement at the first statement, turning his head to look about the cafe and the people who are in it at the moment.

to then be followed by a small exhale through his nose, glancing back at Vanessa sidelong with an air of faint amusement. ]

You remain steadfast in your stubbornness, my love.

[ It's nearly as much of a laugh as anything else (nearly), which only piques her already brimming curiosity.

After another thoughtful sip of her drink, she gestures lightly with the can to the rest of the café. ]

I can certainly go and ask others, since I know better than to read the claim to be of a literal nature. But I have a feeling you already know what it implies.

At least offer me a hint.

[ By now she's already wondering if it's a sex thing, but she stifles that by assuming she just has a wicked mind, and that Aurora wouldn't go so far. ]

[ the amusement only grows at her coyness. ]

It is part of a garment worn during intimate relations, for those with such preferences. It may cover the face completely, which I imagine to be the supposed similarity with my helm.

[ Again, she has underestimated Aurora.

Not one to be easily flustered, Vanessa still ducks her chin and bites her lip in a weak attempt to keep most of her own amusement at bay. With true effort, she could appear rigid and unimpressed, but she feels little need to go to such pains around him.

Her extended silence isn't from embarrassment—she's simply trying to imagine it. Even with a vivid thought process, she struggles without having seen his helm herself.

Finally, ]

Would it cover your eyes?

There are variations for the garment in question, but my helm does indeed cover the whole of my head.

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