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

[ 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.

No matter their intent, they go too far in how they think to trap us. A child may feel no malevolence when tormenting ants, but the ants still suffer.

Of course, we are not ants. Should a way be discovered, we can gain agency once more.

[ And they can probably hear everything, even without her bringing the earpiece. That doesn't deter her, either. She has been stalked by otherworldly entities her entire life. ]

I will have answers, one way or another.

A child may hold no malevolence, but a child may also learn. Both from guided teachings as well as from actions, either taken or taken against it. The latter method can be volatile though, as the lesson learned may not be what you intend it to be without proper guidance.

I only advise caution, my venomous one.

[ Her scoff is near silent, but she nods all the same. ]

I would only speak with them, initially. I've no interest in further bloodshed unless they force my hand.

[ Thus far, they have not tormented her in quite the same way that the City had, so she can border reason where necessary. Patience may not be her strongest suit, but she can fake it when still in her right mind. She would be a poor predator if she could not. ]

And what would you do, if you could meet them now?

I would question them, of course.

And if you weren't overly fond of their answers?

That would depend upon the answers given.

Mm, doesn't it always...

[ Those sorts of non-answers are her own forté, so she appreciates it even when she too wishes for more clarity. How often has she frustrated others in turn? It only has her smile come a bit easier, because she does know some of what he's capable of should they give the wrong answers in his presence.

But she would not want him to act without her. This is personal for both of them. ]

I do hope that if you have the opportunity to confront them, that you will not exclude me. I should think that they would struggle to avoid our questions, were we to face them together.

[ they're made for each other in that regard, at least, though Dream means it genuinely at the moment rather than just as a deterrent to avoid the question. ]

If the circumstances do not prevent our combined company, of course.

[ Yes, there is always that risk. Even without magical intervention, there has been enough in the past to completely preoccupy her. But here, there are no werewolf responsibilities.

Though, if it meant having Ethan back, she'd be glad to once more take them on. If she could have any of her friends back...

But she may never see them again. All she can do is try her best to protect them from afar.

All the more reason to recognize how special it is that Morpheus is still with her. She knows there is meaning in that, and it will always be encouraging. Enough that she's certain they can find a way to deal with these conflicts together.

Her hand inches forward now, fingertips just barely brushing against his while her other hand rests over her chest. ]

You are stronger now than you were before. Perhaps the pendant would be more reliable if attuned with this new world in mind.

[ his own hand remains still, not even a twitch when their fingers touch. but he does draw his gaze back up to her from beneath his brows, the look he gives charged with barely veiled intent. ]

Attuned, my lady? You believe it to be lacking?

This realm is what lacks. Perhaps it struggles to resonate with what came before.

[ Her hum is soft before she slowly pulls her hand away. Her gaze, however, remains pinned. ]

I only wonder what more you can accomplish now, my lord, with fewer restrictions imposed.

A great many things indeed.

Would it not behoove us both to test how far we can reach with our renewed power? The more we know of one another in this new realm, the stronger we will be for it.

[ Which is actually quite true, though that is clearly not her only focus. They can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. ]

There is a place I have been meaning to show you, away from prying eyes. Perhaps we can test such matters when you are of a mood for a walk.

A test, my lady? For it to be a test, would we not have to separate?

Mm, I was thinking first on a rejuvenation of the spell...

[ The reliability truly has been hit-or-miss since arrival.

But calling for him also wasn't planned before. With shared intent working in tandem, it may carry out perfectly.

And it could be more fun. ]

But if you feel confident that distance is no matter, then wait and listen for me to call you.

[ She's already gathering up her book and drink. Not everyone can teleport about, so she still needs to walk. ]

(no subject)

hypnagothic - 2024-05-22 07:07 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

matermali - 2024-05-22 07:22 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only