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

coffee break

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon happens to be milling around, for where there is coffee, there he will be — or something like that. Curiously, he seems to have arrived with his own rather fancy cup and saucer. Nothing in this establishment looks like what he's carrying, yet steam and the rich aroma of a unique blend waft from his cup just the same.

As she appears perplexed by the offerings on the menu, he doesn't hesitate to offer his assistance. ]

Would you like an explanation?

[adorabrawler]

—Huh?

[ Mizuki looks over her shoulder; he's given a tentative stare in her quiet moment of debate, before folding both arms over her chest. ]

Um... sure. You could just tell me what's good.

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon considers this, scanning the menu. He knows what he'd choose, but for someone else... ]

That depends on your tastes. For instance, I drink black coffee, but others prefer something sweeter or milder.

[adorabrawler]

I thought nobody liked it bitter.

[ She says, with all the wisdom of a twelve year old. ]

... Not that I've tried it. I take it sweet when I have it.

[prevail]

It's an acquired taste, but there are elements which are lost by altering its flavor.

[ Sandalphon can tell how the beans were processed, roasted, and ultimately brewed based on taste alone. Milk and sugar get in the way, altering that flavor profile.

He's only been obsessed for millennia. ]

If you prefer it sweet, you should narrow your selection to lattes.

[adorabrawler]

[ Her eyes scan back over the menu; then, after a beat: ]

So what makes a latte a latte?

[ If he's that much of an expert and all. ]

[prevail]

The majority of the cup is steamed milk, not coffee.

[ He replies without hesitation.

This is a quiz he is more than primed for. ]

[adorabrawler]

Is it really coffee at that point?

[ Another thoughtful pause, then: ]

Well, I guess it doesn't matter so long as it tastes good.

[prevail]

[ It's milk with a tiny bit of coffee. Sandalphon's answer to that question is it's definitely not enough coffee, but he'll grant— ]

I don't share the opinion of most.

[ Reasons he drinks it plain. ]

You can also have them add whipped cream on the top. I see those who favor sweet things opt for it, sometimes.

[ Younger members of the Grandcypher's crew certainly did. ]

[adorabrawler]

Oh, whipped cream sounds good.

[ As she gently rocks on her feet, Mizuki gives the menu one last cursory glance before peeking over the counter. ]

I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. A latte with whipped cream... That's all there is to ordering, right?

[prevail]

That's right. They should have no difficulty with your order.

[ As is his custom, Sandalphon has observed the goings-on here. He intends to open his own cafe, something Marik encouraged him to do here, and he's always made a habit of observing the way others function to that end.

And here he was invited, no less. ]

[adorabrawler]

Okay. Theeeen...

[ She leans forward upon the counter, delivering her order to the bot handling the order. Within minutes she receives her order: a latte topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Tastie. ]

Um... Thanks, by the way. I don't really know much about this stuff yet.

[ If it wasn't obvious. ]

[prevail]

I'm happy to assist. One day I intend to open a cafe of my own, so this would be [ a pause, as he debates whether he's using the turn of phrase correctly... ] my department.

[ He thinks that's it. Probably. Maybe. ]

Different coffees also pair well with a variety of snacks or desserts.

[adorabrawler]

[ Ah. That explains a lot. ]

I can try something different another time. I'm not... feeling all that hungry right now.

[prevail]

Is something troubling you?

[ Sandalphon could be wrong, but her response echoes ones he has heard before. ]