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

[lordfuckleroy]

[ This was not the wierdest thing that he has seen thus far in this place. He'd also seen a mutanteous cat take on one of the birds (the yellow) ones and eat it whole which had not been a good sort of experience; while he hoped this little.. dude? would not eat the birds, it was best to err on the side of caution.

But at least this guy had proper manners in which to apologize to the skitish blue chocobos, which really did count for something. ]

Well that is a good sign that they have not flown off, though for a moment they were very close. Though once they get used to you, it appears that they swim up to you-- I am sure that it will happen again if you want to stick around.

[limiterrings]

[ his eyes shift to where he saw the other put the flower, and his gaze settles there for a few moments indicating that there's something there. ]

Yours?

[ nothing more than a question on the connection between him and that flower, he thinks by taking this photograph wordlessly was enough of an answer.

besides, he seemed sure, and there's only other black and red hedgehog who could fit the bill, but between the two, there's still light in one's eyes and the other only has years of pain and anger in his own. the hedgehog in the photograph is confident, the other one doesn't have that sort of strong foundation for himself unlike the hedgehog who stands across from a wounded chocobo and its caregiver.

it's easy to confirm the picture belongs to shadow, but what of that flower.

is it his? ]

[limiterrings]

....

[ it's not unfamiliar, why trust an unknown source like this? he doesn't push it, but given the option to ignore them works wonders for what he has in mind.

shadow walks over to the window, jumping out if it himself (without the leafy greens), and lands on the ground effortlessly.

from where pending stands, they'll catch sight of a chocobo in a tree that's waiting for shadow to come closer...

but the hedgehog pauses, jumping up into the tree with a swift kick, and the bird comes tumbling down. someone was prepared. staring at it, the hedgehog contemplates a hostage scenario. ]

[limiterrings]

You are a fool. Do as I say.

[ it comes off as don't ask stupid questions that they know the answer to. ]

Find information, and relay to me in three days.

[ because his time will not be wasted. ]

[rudelanguage]

[dry:] You're a jerk. Find me if you want for a chat, see if I care! [there's a compulsion to stick their tongue out, but they fight it. so mature, this kitsune.

Whatever! they pocket the lenses before turning to pack up the rest of one of the felled bots, yanking excess fabric out of their overstuffed coat and pants that they can wrap up pieces, stow the smaller stuff, and make a sling to heft the bigger bits.

it's easy enough to heft, still able to access the same amount of strength they have at their average height, but that doesn't make it fun. this isn't fun! but whatever, they'll do it anyway because aside from scrounging for food and shelter, what the fuck else are they gonna do?]

Don't have too much fun in the meanwhile.

[rudelanguage]

[contemplating the odds of running into those freaky little bots further in the hospital means more time to idle, and more time to be present when Shadow beats up a tree for bird loot.

the noise prompts them to lean out enough to peer outside, squinting.

The fuck is he doing?]

[limiterrings]

[ blood.

it's made a pool on the ground, left in place with no one there anymore. all's left is the tremble of grass left in its wake. it's with a dash and a yellow trail that one hedgehog changes its hunt to another, effortlessly dodging whatever in his way to catch up to the other.

... ]

[limiterrings]

Where do you reside?

[ because truthfully, antigone could probably not find shadow with how often he moves around.

he can meet their part of the agreement and find them if it matters. from what skills they have displayed so far, he shouldn't count on them to be extraordinary physically, maybe they are more astounding mentally.

if shadow can gain intel through their "smarts" then it might be worth it, but how far do their smarts go... ]

[definecat]

With an easy leap, Sleeper bounds to Kirk's shoulder, clinging easily without using claws to peer at the object. It was familiar in ways they weren't sure they want to remember. Feeling trapped in one of these tubes was always annoying, although this one was theirs. The one they had spent their earliest moments in.

"Interesting."

[rudelanguage]

[airily:] Who knows!

[they sure don't. not yet. no fuckin' way is Knife going to be laying their head down in some prescribed building so close to other weirdos. safety in numbers hadn't applied before, it sure wasn't going to apply right now.]

You're probably smart enough to spot little me around this near-empty city full of taller weirdos, right? [they knot the makeshift sling over their chest, adjusting the load at their shoulder before turning around, shrugging.]

I'll be around. Unless I'm not, in which case, I mean... [beat. shrug, again:] Guess I'd be dead or something, right?

[laserguy]

[Luckily, the chocobo doesn't take An Zhe as much of a threat, just making another 'wark' sound as it continues to rub its beak against the exasperated teenager. He has no idea what's going on or why he attracted the attention of a giant bird, usually people tend to avoid him when he's in a Bad Mood. Something something him being a pain to deal with.

But now that bad mood has slightly disappeared, if just because of how confused he is. And... maybe it is kind of nice in a strange way, not that he'll admit it. Still enough to stop Scott from brushing off the other boy's greeting.]

Y-yeah? I think so, unless this bird is trying to size me up as a potential snack for later. [He tries to scoot just a little from the chocobo, but it only follows the mutant, beak now pressing comfortably on the top of his head. Kweh.] Hey, quit it.

[The chocobo does not quit.]

dean winchester | supernatural

[venatoris]

gift hunt;

[ Let's be real here: Dean Winchester has seen a lot of weird shit in his life. Monsters, ghosts, pissed off poltergeists, old gods with egos bigger than their mythology—but this? This was new.

He squints up at the trees. The branches aren't just all leaves and bramble and tangled vines, but there's boxes. Literal, wrapped-up, fancy ribboned gift boxes like it's friggin' upside down Christmas or something. And it isn't just in the trees, either. They're all over the place, tucked in odd places; between rocks, crammed in corners, even one just... laying in the middle of a field with a single leaf tossed on top, like that made it stealthy. Real subtle.

And the birds. Damn, the birds.

They're not like anything he's ever seen in real life, and frankly? That's saying something. They're colorful, too. Like overgrown parrots or something, except some seem meaner than Toucan Sam on a bender. They're like oversized technicolor nightmares. ]

Damn, if this place doesn't get stranger by the minute. [ Hands on his hips, he stares pointedly at a box wedged in a tree, looking for all the world like it was gift-wrapped by a drunken Keebler elf with too many ribbons and too much time.

But, you know - Dean's kinda like a cat. He gets curious, and sometimes it kills him, sometimes it doesn't - and today, that curiosity has its claws in him all deep like. Every box has a tag, handwritten out but almost scribbled like an afterthought:

To: You
Love: 💋

Not ominous at all.

Course he can't help but rip and tear, he's never had a real Christmas; his holidays consisted of him and Sam and sometimes dad with a bucket of KFC or Boston Market, if their old man was feelin' fancy. Mostly, it was John Winchester on a Miller-time shift, snoring in a chair while Dean and his brother fought over the toy out of the Lucky Charms box.

(Spoiler: Dean always gave in, Sam always got the toy.)

He cracks open a few. Candy? Stashed. Tiny whiskey bottle? Pocketed. One explodes in his hand, showering him with glitter.

Great. Now he's a disco ball.

Maybe it's the hunter in him, maybe it's the kid buried deep down that never got a birthday party past age four, cause even as glitter covered as he currently is, he starts keeping an eye out - for gifts, sure, but also for the people around him who kinda look like they need something, like they maybe deserved something, too. He's a giving guy, what can he say.

In a world where monsters lurk and trust can be hard to come by, maybe this is the universe’s way of saying: "Hey. Be cool. Share the loot. Make a friend."

Dean flashes a trademark Winchester™ smile, hefting a newly found gift in one hand and holds it out to the person who just so happens to be passing him by. ]

Want it?

(( ooc; ota of course, and if you want to have your character have something for Dean, lets have at it! Dean's unique gift will be a an unused birthday card, front says “For My Son”, inside: “Sorry I missed so many. I’m proud of you.” it's unsigned otherwise. open to one person claiming that in the subject line, otherwise feel free to give him ridiculous shit. I'm open to wildcards and whatever else you want! hmu on disco at impala.67 or virtuously if you want to plot, otherwise go nuts, I'm easy \o/ ))

[laserguy]

Great, thanks for letting me know, litter police.

[Scott with the great comebacks... his attitude unfortunately sour and leaving him not the most pleasant of people to talk to. He quite hasn't told Loki to fuck off though, the mutant idly curling one leg up his chest as he leans against it, deciding to engage in his earlier activity of brooding and staring out at the city.

But he still answers him.]

Yeah, Scott. [He affirms, even though he considered just giving himself a new name because being Scott Summers is apparently a whole thing to others. But whatever.] ...Guess we made it off that other planet.

[So Loki was right, but he's not going to admit it.]

[strumpet]

( well far be it from inara to tell someone not to be cautious— her strategy or rather way of showing her kindness to others was in trying to alleviate that stress the way jayce had for her when she first arrived.

with one look at knife, she could tell there were a million thoughts running in that mind of theirs but she couldn't say what could be those thoughts. it was a similar nervous energy she felt from some of her own clients back home, and even with the doctor aboard serenity.

so she smiled at them, looking up and facing them fully with a bit more of a smug expression. )

You haven't told me your name and you want to know what I'm shopping for? A bit naughty, you should really introduce yourself properly first before snooping around.

[laserguy]

[Shadow's expression wipes that growing smile off from Scott. Seeing his reaction... he almost feels like stumbled into a really personal moment for the hedgehog and not something he can really tease the other about. So, it's definitely something of sentimental value; it makes sense since the roller skates don't exactly look like they would fit on him??

So, he's a little quieter, more serious, the mutant fully okay with answering his sudden question.]

I found it near a tree, didn't really think anything of it at the time. There's boxes all around Etraya right now. [...] There wasn't anyone around when I picked it up.

[thelightshines]

[...It was too much to hope they wouldn't chase after him. While he hasn't been fighting for as long as the other, he's still at a disadvantage with his right eye still healing. Nothing he can do about that, and there's no point in continuing while the other has decided to pursue him.

He turns to face the approaching hedgehog, firing several chaos spears in their direction as he disappears. Reappearing again from their left to swing a punch. He doesn't expect it to work, but better than letting them have the first move.]

[laserguy]

I was speaking generally! Like there's a lot of girls with blonde hair and blue eyes.

[But. Okay. Scott runs a hand through his hair, if only because he's trying not to get immediately annoyed by the hedgehog. Why he's even bother trying is beyond him-- it's just because he actually seems worried about someone. Maybe this girl he's talking about really needs help.

Unfortunately, it's just hard for him to see the right color of people, but Scott's not going to admit that much out loud. He can only imagine Shadow's response, probably something among the lines of learn how to control it or get better. Yeah he's skipping that lecture, thanks.]

Look, if you really care about this girl, use the stuff that's been given to you. Yeah I'm talking about the earpiece.

arrival;

[laserguy]

[Holding a cup of coffee and a slice of cake for himself, Scott blinks in surprise when he sees another... hedgehog standing just a few feet away. But it's more than just that, because he's floating a croissant over to him-- an ability that he's seen before, yes, but not from anyone other than mutants. Huh. Well, why wouldn't a space hedgehog have an ability like that? Sure. He's just at that state of accepting things in front of him.

Besides, the other two hedgehogs could run really fast. Maybe they all just have a special ability, kind of like mutants.

Still, Scott's interested enough to walk over to Silver. He wouldn't consider himself a social person at all, but whatever. He'll make an exception this time, because it's kind of cool.]

Hey, neat ability. [...] One of my friends can do something like that too.

[restingstitchface]

One man's eccentric is another man's nonconformist.

[Or subject in his case. But none of them are true outsiders; criminals and lowlifes do function within a substratum of society.]

[keepitgoing]

... Yeah! Maybe!

If the name tag fell off, or something.

[He's not really sure, because what's written is pretty vague. Whoever 'you' is or whoever 'kissy mouth' is. Spider-Man starts crawling down the side of the wall towards Loki, holding up the gift.]

So you're not expecting a gift anytime soon?

[laserguy]

[Oh, he sees the giftbox now. Right, okay.]

I've seen those presents scattered around Etraya.

[But hm, he can see the trouble with all this. If they get too close, they might spook the chocobos and they might trample over the gift-- not to mention as this guy just mentioned, they might also end up hurting themselves. He has nothing against Big Bird, so yeah, he's not really a fan of that happening either.]

Can't we just calm them down through food? Place some sort of food offering to the side to get them elsewhere?

[keepitgoing]

[He scrubs his gloved hands down his mask.]

I don't! [And then he motions with his hand to the poor stuck bird, and says in an urgent whisper:] But I didn't want him to know that in case he spoke English!

[strumpet]

( as they made their way towards the water, inara made a mental note to either ask aurora for a tea set or try and find one herself around these parts. she was still so new to etraya but hearing in on the whispers of others and their idle comments gave her a general sense this was a place where things could be found.

as for actual payment and how things were paid for here? she wasn't entirely sure on that but before she could dive in too deep into what she was going to do, the water splashing up on her face and dress seemingly snapped her out of that.

she made a bit of a face, scrunched up before she simply laughed just a bit. no sense in getting worked up over it in the end. )

I'll go look for a towel for you, I'll be right back-

( and before he could protest, off she was, her flats clicking against the floor beneath her as she ventured out to try and find something for them to use. it seemed she would be leaving the actual gift-getting portion of this affair to him. )

[strumpet]

( it had been quite sometime since she had seen crane and she almost nearly forgot who he was— in between the chaos of having to hold her own on a delicate and dying planet, to being brought to etraya in a rush, it was hard for her to focus on every little thing. now she had to focus on what to do with herself here, how to spend the time in between missions [a bit of information given to her by dean] and how to make some kind of living without falling back on her old line of work.

it wasn't until he replied back to her and she fully observed him, that she remembered him. ah yes the liar, the man who claimed to be a famous writer and yet he was anything but. some kind of doctor but she wasn't quite sure which kind. )

Oh don't get too disappointed, they did have us 'under' for sometime at the hospital. You never know what they might have implanted.

( another joke but it was a bit morbid. so she decided to change the topic. )

Shopping for a new suit? Some casual wear Doctor Crane?

[restingstitchface]

Would you believe me were I to claim neither?

[His face remains impassive. The question about whether he is shopping for a new suit uproots the anger buried in the back of his mind. One more person who thinks him scrawny and weak, then. But whether she believes him weak, whether she thinks he can be controlled, or his opinion ignored, nothing about it matters. Her opinion is only an opinion, another piece of data to stitch into the figurative blanket this world seems to be.

He continues staring at the suit: a navy ensemble that provokes a critical eye when he judges it to be too colourful. That and the absurd image of wearing slacks.]

I just find myself feeling curious. Why does this place offer all the comforts of home?

[His home was never comfortable.]