etrayalogs | APRIL MINGLE

APRIL MINGLE

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⏴

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Manny couldn’t help but let out an exhausted sigh. Where does he even begin with that question.]

To say that this place is strange would be putting it lightly. Not only does this place pull in all kinds of people from many different worlds, but it also brings in random scenarios at certain times. In other words, it’s best that you don’t let your guard down, even outside of the missions that we've been given.

Edited 2025-04-29 12:26 (UTC)

[ Mayuko, in your time of chocobo watching, there will be many chocobos to watch. But there is one scene that you'll happen upon in your chocobo activities: a sight that's rather unfortunate.

It's Gorgug, the big ol' green teen, wearing as well a green hoodie a shade darker than his skin. ...surrounded by green chocobos. He's been encircled by them, and his expression seems horrified, because now and then? They peck at his black hair. Look at this chocobo, lacking feathers!!

Who knows what attracted them to him in the first place (perhaps his always unsure face), but he doesn't seem to know what to do, except to whine and try to protect his hair when they peck at his head. ]

H-heeyyy! I don't have food, I don't have food!

[ He totally has food, but they're not greens and he refuses to share!! ]

[someone tall and green has been walking by repeatedly or just lingering in the distance for the past two hours, seemingly indecisive about committing to going inside when so many people are around.

they've already walked the block and memorized how to get here from the bridge they've decided they'll squat at for a while, but it's like they're worried the place is gonna vanish before they commit to crossing the threshold. they almost get close! making a clear telegraph they're bravely walking in!

but then someone exits and they hastily move out of their way and buzz off again...only to return once more, driven by ravenous hunger and the frustrating self-talk that normal people go into taverns and inns during daylight hours and it's not weird.

by her next break, Heather'll find this guy rummaging through the deli's trash instead.]

Shaan looks over when someone calls to him and doesn't even blink at the pink creature.

"Of course," he says politely in his smooth accent, "how can I help you?"

"You do not have to worry, no assassins here."

Henry jokes as he rounds the corner, holding up his hands. Though he does walk up to Shaan and claps him on the back of the shoulder. "So, this is an opportunity Shaan, for both of us to be.. as normal as is decently possible. No one knows that I am a Prince, and I would like for it to stay that way so.."

Oh this may be more difficult for Shaan then one might even imagine." You can drop the 'Your Highness' or 'Prince Henry'."

Old habits did die hard, however.

Edited 2025-04-29 13:13 (UTC)

[Accelerator's lips twitch as two thoughts cross his mind. The first one is that he's reminded of another tiny blonde girl, one from back home who woke up for all of thirty seconds to thank him for something before promptly clinging to his leg and falling back asleep. The other is wondering if this was what Last Order had to deal with all those times she tried to wake him up when he wanted to sleep. Both of them cause a wave of homesickness to wash over him, which is ridiculous, and he tries to ignore it.

He also opts for Plan B, which is a little kinder to the girl. Shifting his grip on his crutch, he carefully sinks down onto his knees, letting go of it so he has both hands to work with. Then he proceeds to take hold of the book and try to gently wiggle it out from underneath her, holding her head so it doesn't bonk on the floor.]

You come from a wasteland?

[ There's a voice that comes slightly from behind Claudia, but not immediately so. There's a green guy--a half-orc to be exact--standing on the path next to the bench, with a hot cocoa and a muffin in each hand, backpack on his bag bulging, and what looks like to be a little metal lizard around the crook of his neck. Someone is making use of the complimentary welcome table of snacks and drinks.

He's tall, standing around 6'6", and he's just...content, chewing on his muffin and looking out at the same environment as Claudia. It's not barren, of course, far from it. But it's what Gorgug thought after considering those words he heard her say, if to herself.

His eyes blink, black scleras against white pupils. The question is genuine, if a little surprised. To him, Etraya is always lacking in a higher head count that makes the place feel truly living. But different folks, different worlds! ]

hii mods! let's say shadow wants to cut open a companion bot or two, if able, is there anything worth noting about the bots or do they have normal gears and bolts?

...that girl sure is determined to get that gift, huh?

Gorgug was just passing by, or meaning to. But a girl jumping with a bird to get up in a tree? Is worth stopping and watching with bewilderment, puzzled by the effort. He sees what she's got once she comes down, and he's still staring long enough to have her turn towards him, asking that question.

To find this 6'6" half-orc just staring at her. But he does look towards the gift when she mentions it.

"N...o?" Would he have a box in a tree? He's not sure he would have a box in a tree. Though, there was that one time a box was deposited outside his workshop.

...

"...is there a name on it?"

........

[Okaaaay, don't answer his question. Accelerator sighs a bit, moving over to the chocobo to fix the stand it knocked over. It's kind of a pain in the ass since he has only one usable hand due to his crutch, but it is what it is.]

You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?

[If he would turn his back, there is another visible tell with the number of quills they both have. Otherwise near splitting image of the other, much to this one's annoyance. By the irritation in his voice, understandably tired of being confused for the other. Even more offended that this girl would think he's family with that asshole.]

Absolutely not. [He scowls at the very idea.] And you don't need to do anything. I'm not him, so go bother someone else. [Why does it bother him, that this girl seems rather casual talking to him, to the other. By now the chocobos have lost interest in the two of them talking, sensing no immediate threat and returning to what they were doing before. Sleeping, eating, whatever chocobos do.]

[This guy really do be living as he goes huh. Kind of like....someone else he knows that isn't here.]

Didn't Aurora tell you about a place to stay? A...partments?

[The preference for discipline and order suggests exposure to disorder and trauma. He has little idea of the scale and refuses to rush to unearth more details, knowing those shall come with time. His main concern is not triggering the temper hidden beneath that frown.]

You prefer to find your family rather than have one foisted upon you.

[It is an observation, not a question. His fingers gently tap the top of his book, before resting upon his lap.]

In any case, it is good you respect the responsibility our hosts feel towards our welfare. I think some people would hardly be so understanding.

More people in shapes he does not recognise. This one is new to him, and can...levitate with no apparent way of doing so? No device or visible source of lift?

He files it away. Normally he'd move on, but he's...curious. He glides over to inspect Silver more closely.

"If I might ask," he begins, somewhat hesitantly for him, "how exactly do you levitate? I do not see a means of propulsion."

Which doesn't mean it's not there. He simply may not understand it. But he would like to know.

[Crane realises he's being addressed, meaning that he is being scrutinised, but his paranoia has been building over a lifetime. Were another gentleman standing in this one's shoes, he would remain suspicious - and act equally amicable to divert attention.

Blend into the crowd, as it were, much as he believes he exists outside of it. He shakes his head, barely causing any movement.]

I enjoy a game. But it's a game for two, and I only arrived here a week ago.

[The implication being he needs to meet people, people he feels comfortable enough to enjoy spending time with. But he is more interested in prompting a choice: to sit down and engage or walk away from the game. Not that they could ever escape in this place.

That he wishes to avoid discussing something personal is obvious by omission.]

Edited 2025-04-29 19:22 (UTC)

Jaw opened, jaw shut again. Repeat this at least (5) times, it was not that he hadn't seen a cat hunt a bird before, his sister was absolutely a cat person and she possessed a cat who was particularly of the 'hunty' type.

It was the size of the bird that was indeed the kicker.

"I think that it was a fair bit larger than you? Which was.. I mean I am not doubting your abilities, clearly I have seen them in action. I am just almost wondering what sort of extra powers you have that allow you to do that."

Another small beat.

"Oh yes, and where I am from-- cats do not normally talk so you must forgive me surprise."

[ He's just here, enjoying - or at least, attempting to derive some enjoyment - from exploration. Presumably humans carry all sorts of food for themselves, so he pays no attention to Cid and his fishing net full of vegetables until it breaks and scatters them every which way.

Well. It's not for him to question the method of carrying such cargo, but he is curious as to the purpose. He may as well ask...it is not as if he will understand any other way.

So he glides over to Cid and the wreckage of his net and begins to dutifully pick up all these strange, alien greens. He assumes, at least, that the human might like some help in this area.

After a long moment of picking these up, he finally asks his question. ]

...What is all of this for?

( at this point heather felt almost silly about being angry at someone so...so....difficult and immovable but at the very least she can keep an eye out on her. so she began to approach closer, arms folding before her chest as she looked at the two. the chocobo surely deserved better than being around her. )

Yeah well don't get too surprised, this place is full of weird happenings and creatures. Just a part of being brought here to prove our world is worth saving. So remember, behave.

Indeed. They are chocobo, native to my world.

[He takes the offered greens simply enough, turning his attention to the birds who have done the same to them. He clicks his tongue, which gives the bird an audible cue of sorts, though they have yet to fully understand its meaning. Still, it combining with the offered greens to prompt them forward is the start of directing them, at least.]

They are used as beasts of burden, mounts for combat, and stalwart companions. Clever and strong in equal measure, they are fiercely loyal should one afford their respect.

With a soft smile, Heather began to walk closer to Chrissy as the Chocobo before them began to get closer, keeping a curious on the two. It was a standard yellow bird but it did seem quite intrigued by their conversation. As simple and as quaint as it was.

"I haven't either, but it does make me wonder where exactly they came from and why we suddenly have them here. It's a bit strange isn't it? I mean....after all that intensity from the last mission and all of a sudden we get these funny looking birds." Was she just a tad bit bitter from the last mission? Probably, but she'll leave her comments there. She's forgiven Aurora and Echo for all, so she's not about to badmouth them further.

"Hey, how are you doing after all that anyways?"

Right well we all did.

( it's a bit more blunt than her previous comments, but their behavior was making her just a tad bit suspicious of what exactly was going on here. instead of saying anything further though, she took a step back and watched in silence as they began to terrorize the covering of the shop with a scarf of all things.

with a raised eyebrow, she looked up at knife and tilted her head. )

Well I don't believe there are any traps here, from what I've been told by others I've encountered, it seems 'Etraya' is suppose to be the safer world. A neutral base.

( what they didn't tell her was that sometimes the food and items here had effects on people— but they'll both find that out eventually. )

( that was all the assurance inara needed to go out and actually try to tame one of the birds for herself. normally she wasn't this reckless, but something about living aboard a ship with a crew full of nothing but reckless people began to rub off on her.

so she smiled politely at dion before she turned and began to walk slowly towards the chocobo, holding her hand out with the greens. at first the bird tilted its head at her, nearly threatening to run away before it began to approach her more closely. once she was close enough, she held her palm up for it to eat the greens before it sniffed it for a moment. inara was still a bit unsure how this would work, but eventually the bird relented and began to eat from her palm. )

Dion, would you like to do the honors? It might be a bit difficult for me to ride this with my dress.

( was it a bit bold, even crass to demand so much of a stranger? perhaps but she wasn't above using her feminine wiles to get what she wanted. even if she wasn't trying to get much more than a gift on the river. )

The ghost? [their nose crinkles briefly before they shake their head.] Said a lot of things. Not sure if it's worth hearing.

You trust it?

I'm okay with being careful.

[Like fucking hell I'm going to take the word of a bunch of random people who dismiss concern like I'm a fucking baby! It's like these assholes went through this and immediately forgot that maybe THEY were fucking doubters at some point!

...Maybe they weren't. Holy shit. People just fuckin' take shit at face value here, no consequences? We're all fucking dead already if that's the case.

Pending does, at least, move to go pick up what they've pitched, unfolding and checking both sides of the fabric before almost expertly winding it back around the mannequin. it's a greenish scarf; it'd look bad on the skin!

turning back to Inara:] What are you shopping for. [or stealing for. or...whatever the hell is going on here.]

Edited 2025-04-29 17:08 (UTC)

[ what dion does hardly calls for any fuss from the chocobo, it's all done in a way where it's like they aren't there. no disturbances, peaceful enough where their presence isn't a glaring nuisance is the peace of this forest. everything pairs well together, and only sometimes the rustle of bushes bring out another curious chocobo's head to see what's happening.

they never stay long because they're skittish creatures, but there are less than two that come by observing what's happening and then leaving. it's like they scout for information, or maybe they're really peaceful creatures trying to figure out what's going on around them, and what creature they can trust.

has dion acquired himself a chocobo to nurse back to health or a friend? whichever it may be, it isn't before long where one head of leafy greens rolls through the bushes by shadow's side, knocking into his shoes with a small thump. the hedgehog glances down to see what it is, and his gaze doesn't turn to the bush at all as he doesn't want to acknowledge whatever the other bird may be doing.

instead, he kicks it with acute precision, and it won't be long until dion feels something hit against him next. the leafy greens that was once by shadow's person now over there by the other two. they would find more use through it, whether the chocobo hidden in the leaves of the forest thought he was hungry or they're trying to give "thanks" in some way for helping their friend, it's hard to say.

maybe it is "thanks" as a second head of leafy greens is rolled in dion's direction now from out the brush, bumping into his thigh. now he has two. ]

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Page 31 of 119

APRIL MINGLE

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wildcardin' chocobos

robin deli

Re: Arrival

WHAT SORT OF HENRY WOULD I BE IF I DID NOT TAG SHAAN

I loled, adorable

i

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gift hunt

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Arrival

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birds of a feather

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never any rush at all ♥

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