APRIL MINGLE

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: April 25th - Early May
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, spring activities, and feathered friends!
NOTES\WARNINGS:

⏵ arrival ⏴ Welcome to Etraya! Arrival goes as expected - characters awaken on hospital beds and are offered an explanation of their situation: that they have arrived in the city of Etraya, and they are their world's only hope. They are welcome to wander the hospital if they would like to - the upper floors are mostly empty, full of pristine hallways and numerous rooms filled with supplies, cots, and things one would expect from a relatively average 21st-century hospital. However, if they are arriving from Aphaia, it's a little different, though mostly through means and familiarity. They will still show up in the hospital of course, but how can vary. Either through Aurora offering a portal for escape, their own demise (however it might have happened), or even a simple blink of their eyes and they're in the hospital. They had been given the briefest explanation last time they were here, but at least Aurora can better answer their questions now. No time constraints nor rushing them off to a dying world, this time! In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, cake slices, as well as tea and coffee to accompany them - or hot chocolate, for those who are opposed to the other offerings. Outside the hospital, spring is sprung, it is warm and comfortable. Flowers have bloomed, and everything is in a sharp contrast to Aphaia—there is life within the bubble, and even the myriad wildlife seems to be basking in the glow of it all. Almost as if a celebration of that life itself. Bees are buzzing, birds are—warking? ⏵ Birds of a Feather ⏴ Etraya has always had its interesting assortment of critters, but there seems to be a particularly colorful array of birds wandering around. Those familiar would know they are named Chocobos, those less so familiar, well, these are some strange looking ostriches, or whatever large bipedal bird equivalent fits. While the birds all seem to be of the same species, there are certainly some variety in their features. Some with friendlier faces and others looking a bit more eagle-like. They are not particularly congregated in any one spot within Etraya, seeming to stick to groups, while others don't, yet even some are accompanied by newly hatched chicks. The observant might be quick to notice that their colors dictate some level of behavior, or even where their little groups mingle: Colors Behavior and habitat Yellow Can be found just about anywhere in Etraya, they don't necessarily stick to self-made groups, and typically are more likely to be friendly to people. However, if they are in the company of a newly hatched chick, they can become wary, though easily won over with some greens. Green These Chocobos are mostly found in grassy or woodsy areas, almost always in pairs, and sometimes found in the trees themselves. They are more wary than their yellow brethren, though if they see someone struggling or in danger, they are quick to offer assistance in what way they can. Doting like motherhens. Blue Most often found by bodies of water, these Chocobo seem content to keep to themselves. Three to a group, they are not so easy to approach without being noticed. Their skill and love of water is clear, however, and it's not unusual to find them flapping about or swimming. Though they may flee to the water if you spook them. Brown The most skiddish of the Chocobo, they can be found throughout Etraya, though further away from anything occupied by people. They stick to groups of four, though they have a clear leader who sports blue and green feathers, but seemingly is not of the other two types. Should they catch sight or sound of someone approaching they are like to run off, or they might attempt to defend themselves. Red There seems to be only one of these running around. Highly aggressive to anyone who dares to approach it. Best to avoid it. Very likely to hurl comet-like balls of fire your way. Untamable. The birds all favor these strange cabbage looking plants that can be found out and about in the wilds of Etraya. Some proving a little overeager in their voracity to eat the leafy greens. One should be careful, with those large beaks of theirs. ⏵ Gift Hunt ⏴ It isn't only the birds that have shown up out of nowhere. Small to medium sized boxes, wrapped as if they should be under a tree, and maybe not hidden in a tree, have also appeared. For whatever reason (possibly the same reason eggs were given out over winter) there seems to be gifts hidden all over Etraya! Some in more difficult to find locations (in trees, on top of a roof, on snake island), while others look as though whoever "hid" it gave up halfway through and simply dropped it on the ground and put a leaf over it. For those who need a little extra help, well, certainly your fellow Etrayans could lend a hand, however there are also perfectly capable birds about for those still left wanting. Certainly that blue chocobo could assist with crossing the river to obtain that perfectly balanced gift on a rock! Or what about that green chocobo roosting in a tree not too far from that gift stuck in the branches because it has entirely too many ribbons? With that said, there might also be some dangers in trying to take one of the myriad gifts from a chocobo's nest, especially if there's a chick presently sleeping next to it. Perhaps befriending them would be a good idea first, besides, isn't friendship with a big bird the truest gift of all? On the tag of each and every gift box says the same thing: To: You Love: 💋 Each gift has a random assortment within. Some contain candy, others contain alcohol, make-up...maybe even a pair of socks, very perfunctory gifts with very little thought or feeling put into them. However, there is at least one gift that is personally relevant to each character in Etraya. This item will be the equivalent of a 5 point AC reward, and does not have to be found by the person it is intended for. What better way to break the ice than to give someone their gift which you opened! ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Welcome to Etraya newcomers and happy spring to everyone! It appears that someone is trying to correct her previous mistake of handing out eggs during the winter holidays, and now there's a hunt for gifts accompanied by a bunch of lovely birds to help out! Some notes in regard to Chocobos: -Each color can be tamed except for the red one, he's a free spirit. Should someone wish to harm or attack this chocobo, let us mods know. There is only one of him, after all. -The others will just take various amounts of work to win over, however, but they are loving and cute companions for those who are willing to put in the effort! And who knows, maybe more colors could arise with time and patience... -Feel free to pull from all the designs of chocobos throughout the Final Fantasy series. If you fancy FFXII's, for example, there are some that look like that. Variety is the spice of life! Concerning the personal item, be sure to plot out and get permission when finding someone else's item. This is meant to encourage possible new CR and mingling, but the choice of the item should ultimately be within the hands of the player who is receiving it. If you are uncertain if your item is appropriate for the reward cost, feel free to ask here! For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[rudelanguage]

Magic shit. [they turn the box lid over and squint at it.] To check for curses or traps.

[because that's what it feels like to them - some kind of hex. and that planchette would let them see it!

they huff, chucking the useless lid away, grabbing up their junk, and pick a hall, hesitating.

...there's weird constructs in this building, ghost-lady aside. Knife grimaces.

fuck it. it's either these or the crazed chickens! onward.]

[rudelanguage]

["the hedgehog" is probably a title, Knife figures. like "the accountant." or "the bartender."

they dunno what hedging hogs does for a society, but they don't know a lot, so they'll just decide to pay it no mind.

grumpily:] One-word orders your favorite thing? Sheesh. I was gettin' up anyway! [don't tell me what to do! they say, doing what was asked.]

[rudelanguage]

No! [they hug their arms to their body where they can, drawing their knees up.] You don't even! Know what you don't got! So!

[So just stew on that! While I try to figure out what magic to get away with here!]

[rudelanguage]

They smell bad. [to say nothing of the noise.

beat.] ...But taste okay.

[...how hard would it be to gank one of those for a meal? could be worth it if one were alone and not in a whole-ass flock.

wait.

they double-take incredulously down at the not-cat.]

Whoa. [they just blipped here? or were tailing them? sneaky little fucker.]

[limiterrings]

Hmph. Pathetic, there's no need for that.

[ because all they would have to do is ensure they're not harmed when the trap strikes, but it's the hospital, it's the safest place all because it's a starter zone for everyone. it must have some reason for being a... safe haven. ]

Stay on the first floor and nothing will happen.

[ the companion bots or whatever they're called are around on halls, but shadow remains by the window waiting to see what the plan of the chocobos may be.

he's seen war, formation, it stands out in ways that he could probably guess from a strategic standpoint. ]

[sophielicious]

(It can peck all it wants, as long as he doesn't hit her weak spot too hard, and she doesn't think it will... But it does feel like it gets the bird angrier over the fact it can't really latch its beak onto her skin. Peck, peck, peck, and she just keeps walking, talking to it like it would understand what she means.)

This is getting pathetic. If you break your beak or something, don't come crying to me.

(Oh? A voice? He sees the kid, and listen, if the princess isn't running, she definitely isn't going to like yelling. Kamala told her that jumping into people's heads is creepy and intrusive, but she would if it weren't for the diamond form that blocks it.)

In what world running from a thing like this would, like, actually work? It'll just chase me harder.

[cantilevers]

[Vander stayed on the threshold for a few seconds as they faced off, but he wasn't looking for a fight. He withdrew his foot and then eased his weight back off the landing to stand in the courtyard so that she didn't have to consider long the idea of having to fight him and make such a scene.]

So, you're living here now, are you? Is it a step up or a lateral transfer from previous living arrangements?

[While he spoke, he moved the box from under his arm to hand and offered it to her. It did indeed have little hearts and kisses on it like all the other packages that this place had deigned to provide them. He hadn't tampered with it at all, though with hers he had honestly considered it and just filled the box with coal.]

birds of a feather

[maximumlegend]

Fabian blinks a little as he watches the girl interact with the big birds. He hasn't really felt the need to do so himself - they're just big birds, after all - but she sure seems taken with them. Enough so that it draws Fabian's attention, making him stare before Lumine speaks up like that.

And even though he doesn't know the answer, Fabian still pipes up with: "They're just big birds, aren't they?"

Hey, it's technically true!

"They're suddenly all over the place."

[cantilevers]

[Vander immediately recognized Jason when the younger man entered and found a spot, and he still felt a kinship to the guy too. They had endured similar starts in life, and that kind of experience was not something that one could simply discount even if there were likely subjects that they would never agree on.

He considered the question for a moment and shrugged.]

Depends on what kind of afternoon you're planning on having. Do you want a good time or do you want to hurry yourself to numbness? I've got some good beer on tap, but I can whip you up something harder too. Or if you don't like the taste of alcohol, I've got you covered as well.

[cantilevers]

I assume the colours are some sort of subspecies?

[There were cave lizards that could be identified by their colours, but they didn't have big birds like this in his city. It was interesting and curious to him to see them and even try to tempt one to take some food from hand. Was this normal for these birds?]

Ah, I have a distinct lack of experience with horses, but the recommendations are noted. I wonder how many people are trying this with the chicks.

[rudelanguage]

[squint.]

What, you run the place or something? [or this guy just talkin' confident?

...or are those his birds out there.]

[fortitudosalutis]

[ His first, traitorous instinct is to toss the box and its contents away. Pretend it's trash and change the subject fast to something, anything else. Something meaningless. But if he tosses it away, that dishonors Matthew's memory, and that cannot be allowed.

Not for anything.

Carver works his jaw. Holding the box so goddamn tight. ]

Yeah. Always something around here.

[thelightshines]

[One of his ears twitch irritably. How about, he grabs them by their beaks and shoves them back.] Enough. [He roughly pushes back any others trying to smother him. The force isn't enough to harm, but to get the point across he doesn't want their nonsense. A few feathers ruffled, but otherwise they aren't too upset by his reluctance. In fact, they just wark with enthusiasm as if he was playing some game with them.

He rolls his eyes, nearly startled when the leader comes up and playfully nudges him forward from behind.] I said stop! [He is not as gentle with this one as the other. He outright punches it in the face. It warks in a panic and confusion as it's knocked back, nearly stumbling over. The other of it's herd squawk along with their leader who runs back over to them. Confused and hurt by the mix messaging. It should have been obvious from the start he didn't want anything to do with them. That's their damn fault for trying their luck.] Tch. [In a flash of light, he's gone from Dion's side and teleported himself into one of the nearby trees. Dumb birds can't bother him here.]

They're your problem. [It only got to this point because of his insistence. Isn't he in the middle of looking for someone? Why are they just wasting time?]

[maximumlegend]

.. you...

[ He starts talking, then stops. Fabian narrows his one eye a little, glancing between the birds and Mayuko before his gaze lands on the latter again. ]

This is all about those things? [ That's why she was crying? That seems like a big reaction, Mayuko! One Fabian can't place so easily! ] I didn't even know you cared about them!

III Tea Break - Give the Princes some Tea

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Truth of the matter was that Henry was a bit of a tea snob, and so after all this rush and fray he was looking forward to a proper spot of tea. He'd found a nice little cafe within the confines of the world which was supposedly their 'home base' to which he gravitated toward it.

But he found to his utmost satisfaction that this place had a proper brew system in place that did not rely on 'microwaving' (seriously, anyone microwaves tea in front of him and he's likely to murder them as a service to the rest of the world).

He is standing behind Dion and he checks at the direction that the other guy is looking. Ah, it must be someone who is not used to such modern conveniences.

The coliseum had taught him that this place involved all types ] That is an espresso machine, it is coffee but I suppose you could call it super charge. Enough of it and it is likely you will be able to smell colours and see sounds.

[ His voice coming out in a soft patently british accent that is not uncommon to Dion's own dialect. ]

[ascarylady]

[ Sevika shut the door firmly once she stepped outside after him. She continued on down the steps and took up a spot about three steps away from him down in the courtyard itself, although she did take the package offered to her. It won't be opened there and then, even if she does check it for tampering.

None she can see. Only gaudy wrapping and that stupid label... ]

No. I'm just staying with a— [ A what, exactly? Was Vanessa a friend? She supposed that had to be it. Otherwise, she would have holed up somewhere else entirely. ] —friend, I guess. Until Silco calms down.

[ Which she hoped would happen sooner than later, if ever. That would be when she grimaced and looked away, off to some other side of the building that wrapped around the courtyard. ]

He didn't take the whole council thing well.

[leastdramatic]

[Jason had tried to steel himself for what could pop out but upon seeing the twisted Robin doll, his stomach turns and his chest goes tight. For a moment, he’s back at the warehouse tied up, helpless, bloody, and broken. He hears the laughter.

After several long seconds of staring at the figure, Jason replies briskly]

I’m fine.

[Because he really doesn’t need to spiral like this. It’s just another one of Etraya’s stupid mini-events. Pointless and not meant to make its residents comfortable. Only a slight discomfort compared to the last couple of missions]

[thelightshines]

[Oh wark. The bird comes to a halt as Shadow starts to run around it. He's effectively keeping it in place as it tries to follow the other's movements. With a flap of it's wings, it lets out another cry. Magical glyphs appear again, but these seem larger, some forming closer to the sky. What if we just drop even more meteors instead of playing these games?

With how fast the fire spreads and the constant barrage of meteors, there won't be a forest soon. Would explain why most, if not all the wildlife had fled before this fight started. What is taking this jerk so long though? The bird should have been dealt with already, but it still breaths. Shadow still hadn't left the area as he had planned. This is valuable information on the other and so he ended up lingering, thinking this wouldn't take as long as it did. Are they just toying with the bird or was this bird proving to be actually difficult for them?

One of the glyph forms above where he was hovering nearby. The meteors that spawn from them were triple in size from the previous ones. They will easily level this whole forest and then some.

If these larger falling meteors catches the older Shadow's attention, the red devil bird is going to try and catch them with a swift and powerful kick.]

[bigpoofymammoth]

What are the general interactions between the Chocobos and the rest of Etraya's wildlife like? Does the latter sometimes try to hunt them or something?

[thelightshines]

[And that mystery will remain a mystery for now. He looks to Knife, to the birds and then back.]

You're going to try and catch one, aren't you? [At this point, Shadow is just here to keep judging them.]

[leastdramatic]

[Jason makes a small friendly smile. Vander looks quite comfortable as a bartender. He certainly resembles some of the rough-and-tumble bar owners Jason has seen back home, but probably more friendly]

Offering non-alcoholic? What kind of drinking hole is this?

[A lighthearted joke and not a criticism. Jason also sensed the kinship he developed with the older man during the last mission. They probably don’t agree on everything but it’s special to meet another person who recognizes moral nuances and grew up in a similarly tough world like Crime Alley]

Don’t need a blackout but maybe something to nurse for a bit while I chew on my thoughts.

[rudelanguage]

[their nose scrunches.]

Kill somethin' you gotta skin it. Then you gotta cure it. Then you gotta store it... [they shake their head.]

I don't live here. Where would I keep all that stuff?

Gift Hunt (Spider-Man Edition)

[abit_ofboth]

[At first, when the gifts start showing up around town, Loki doesn’t think much of it. Just another trick of this place, he’s sure. Or another strange attempt to keep them happy, or whatever that whole egg business had been. He doesn’t really think anything is for him specifically, and isn’t sure he would want it if there was.

What he does find interesting one day as he’s out and about, is noting someone running around in a strange looking outfit collecting some of these gifts. It reminds him a bit of how some of the Avengers dress, except tighter and hiding their face. More interesting than the outfit is seeing the young man up on a roof, yelling down at people on the street (or at least he assumes he’s a young man. Older people didn’t tend to roam around on the rooftops in his experience.]

Are elegantly wrapped gifts addressed to no one something people are able to lose?

[limiterrings]

[ he wouldn't call it difficult, what would normally kill those other birds easily is beyond this one. however, shadow isn't really putting any effort into fighting the creature, it's basically warning strikes. the abilities of it are interesting, flaming meteors concentrated into existence and then strikes down.

now would he call it a formidable foe? not really, if any strikes hit at all, shadow allowed for it to get an idea of what he's working with. mostly meteors, pecking and clawing, so all he has to do is cripple maybe one of these issues. talking about meteors, here is a stronger one, wider than all the others and meant to take much more ground than the rest.

shadow doesn't really care about this forest, it's not an issue, so where the larger meteors land and explode is ignored in favor of following up with the bird. the swift kick is caught in the hedgehog's hands to halt its attack, but that doesn't mean the chocobo can't use the other that does come into contact with shadow.

...the hedgehog instantly flies back across the field, sniping a few trees along the way, and rolling into the ground once his body loses momentum. he's in the middle of a warm crater, fire surrounding him at all sides that could keep him there if he was scared, but what it manages is a growl between grit teeth.

at his side is a nasty gash from the claws, his shoulder has already healed, but now it's this nagging, burning pain at his side that insists upon itself. ]

[limiterrings]

[ that's crazy, maybe, but that's his name. they will come to learn that this is an important part of a name when they meet shadow#2.

he's more so the type of hog that doesn't want anyone following him around, but this ... creature is doing just that. shadow has no reason to run from it, so they ignore the unneeded commentary to speak on something else. ]

Where have you been so far?

[ a simple question that isn't a command (but he is commanding them to say where). ]