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

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.

[ With a thoughtful hum, she considers a moment longer before slowly shaking her head. ]

However much I do want to see it, it would be a shame to be kept from looking into your eyes.

[ Which isn't precisely a hard 'no'.

Reaching across, she taps a fingernail against the top of the placard before tipping it facedown. ]

I may become jealous if others feel the desire to ask.

[ Without her watching, that is. Something in her would be thoroughly delighted in observing such an exchange. ]

[ his foot shifts under the table, where before her gesture might have seemed ignored is now brought to attention in the way his ankle presses more firmly against hers now. ]

As I said, I wear it as a symbol of my office or to go into battle. Surely my lady need not become jealous over such an ornament.

Only if others attempt to sway you to wear it in the manner of Aurora's suggestion.

[ Though, his own reaction to others inquiring may be worth such an engagement. She has no fear of him humoring anyone too far, so any jealousy felt would be fleeting and quickly overcome by amusement, but one must stake a claim where one can. There isn't much else in this life she can claim as hers.

If her boots weren't so properly laced, she may feel tempted to take it further, but for now Vanessa settles for sliding her foot until her heel taps against his, before just scarcely teasing up the hem of his pantleg with her ankle. ]

You can be quite charming, after all — who wouldn't be tempted?

[ Even if most would question what Vanessa may consider charming. ]

That is a description not oft used to describe me.

[ the faint smile deepens ever so slightly on his lips before he lets it go, expression returning more to its somber default. ]

In any event, I would be unable to satisfy any such suggestions as my helm is not with me.

[ She knows well enough how differently others perceive him, which is for their own lack of sight, and perhaps his own lack of attention. Doubtful many would call him kind, either, but he has certainly had his gentler moments with a select few.

The latter remark garners a gentle scoff, playfully bumping at his calf with her foot before dropping it back to the floor. No doubt it must vex him to be without his personal belongings, especially if they had already once been stolen, but she doesn't want him to wallow any more than he does her, so she keeps her tone light. ]

Is that the only reason? [ The mock offense is subtle. ] Then should you somehow gain it whilst here, at least allow me to be the first to see you with it.

[ It wouldn't be the first time that personal belongings unceremoniously appeared while in one of these cities. ]

In truth, we never know what else may suddenly make itself known during these experiments of theirs. One could say that you have been called to a battle of sorts.

Should that come to pass, my lady, you will know doubt be the next to know after myself.

[ he too draws his own foot back, placing it where it was just mere inches away. ]

You are no doubt correct, given the message relayed to us upon our arrival. It only begs to question the form of the battle that will take place.

[ The labyrinth was not as much of a challenge for them as it may have been others who were less powerful, but she can vaguely recall the first time she saw him attempt to fight. His power barely worked then, but that hadn't stopped him from rescuing her.

Though it's currently hidden underneath her bodice, she momentarily rests her hand over the pendant hanging from her neck. It hadn't worked on arrival, or in the labyrinth, which goes to show that even their current strength can still be tampered with. ]

That depends on the experiments that lay in wait, I suppose. And the choices that Echo makes regarding our worlds, to follow. I cannot let any danger come to those I left behind, whether or not I am to see them again.

[ his gaze lowers, watching her hand as she presses it just so against her bodice. she may not be touching it or calling to him directly, but he can still feel her regard for it. ]

I suspect that it also rests on our own choices.

[ To that, she thinks back once more on the reading she had shortly after arriving. It could have been nothing—yet more attempts by Echo or Aurora to toy with her power, but how much of it can they actually control?

She supposes the both of them will find out before the end. ]

I know what I would choose if I could only meet the one named Echo. Or find Aurora's source.

[ Does she have a physical body? ]

But if Echo thinks to choose who is worthy based on the choices we make, and their power is enough to affect other worlds, then why me? You, I can understand. As you've said, you have already faced such cataclysm and found a way to save your world. I would do anything to keep my world from such catastrophe, but— That is just the thing. What if I go too far by their consideration? My choices would likely be considered ruinous.

Even Ethan believed as much. As dark as his past has been, I feel that he still would have been a far better candidate in this matter.

We know nothing of their standards, of their weight and measure of which to assess. Too much remains unknown.

[ he tilts his head forward a slight inch, his eyes rising to hers again. ]

Do not ascribe yourself so readily to doom, my lady.

[ Her smile is small, but she appreciates the reminder. Her emotions are forever at extremes of recent months, both high and low. She is glad for how well he manages to keep her from falling or crushing herself. ]

Of course... I know. I still haven't given up on finding a way to face them. To break that barrier of theirs. I am certain that once I do, they will lose much of their control. Their true power lies in how little we actually understand.

[ Resting her chin over he knuckles, Vanessa glances to the book brought with her. She had already begun reading it that morning, but she hasn't managed to finish. ]

Do you know this author?

[ How well he seems to know every story, and yet there is always the chance for surprise when it comes to these other worlds. ]

[ his chin dips down a little further; a small acknowledgement of her easing back from bad thoughts.

he then glances down to her book at her question. ]

Aye, though of most of his stories only after his life had ended. His dreams were yet young when I was otherwise unable to become familiar.

Unable to—

...Ah.

[ Understanding, then, and a moment's pause in silent apology for even asking. Of course, that time must have overlapped, simply judging by the years mentioned in the stories.

For how long had Morpheus even been free before being summoned to the City?

She nearly attempts to reach out for his hand, but refrains to instead tap a finger against the book cover. ]

He seemed well acquainted with that feeling of dread over what cannot not be understood. Not without losing some part of ourself, if not the whole of ourself.

[ She need not open the book, having already attributed part of a quote to memory. Though it may seem as if she is still lingering on dark wonderings, in this case it is far more for the sake of investigation than self-pity. ]

When I stopped to analyse my thoughts I found to my disquiet that I was really unconsciously listening for something—listening for something which I dreaded but could not name.

He touched upon certain truths that humanity had forgotten, as well. Of the knowledge of those beings that dwell beyond their reckoning.

[ his own hand rises from its resting under the table to instead lie near Vanessa's book. his fingertips don't quite touch the cover nor does it reach for her hand, but it turns on its side, the palm facing the book's direction as if he were moments away from plucking it up. ]

Those years were darker for dreamers. Not only by my absence but from war and hardship. Dreams were harder to come by, and in their lack, the nightmares grew more frequent. Or worse still nothingness reigned.

[ She can recall how desperately she had once craved nothingness in her sleep, and that was far better than her constant nightmares, but it's likely that the Dream King would not agree, even if he had been kind enough to humor her at the time.

In case he might want to look through the novella himself, her hand slips from the cover while pondering his phrasing.

...those beings that dwell beyond their reckoning...

The Endless could certainly classify. And Old Gods?

There has been so little still to find regarding Amunet, and there is something forever veering her away from really attempting to dig deeper. Even as her thoughts glance over such things, they are just as quickly dismissed—almost forgotten in how suddenly they are buried. First drawn to, then turned from. Back and forth, and back, and forth. ]

I doubt it a coincidence that so many of his works are among the literary selections here.

[ he leaves the book where it is, his hand remaining next to it, ever still. ]

Oh? You think there to be relation?

[ For now, she's satisfied to let her hand linger on the tabletop so that their fingertips are nearly touching. Not quite, but nearly. ]

As you said, we still know nothing of what they truly expect. We know only that they want us here for their own ends. But I would not wager on benevolence to be their way.

Nor would I assume malevolence.

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