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

[ For some months now, Garreg Mach has had a population of two people. Mushrooms are people, for anyone wondering.

Aside from the occasional visit and whatever animals occupy the plwce, Yuri doesn't tend to see anyone but An Zhe around the monastery. He's gotten accustomed to it, more or less, since everyone from Fódlan had vanished in quick succession.

He had, in the time since Dimitri vanished from Etraya, moved back into the room that was once his. There was no point in the space going to waste, after all. His possessions are few, mostly books and hoarded tea, stacked in spaces he deems suitably out of the way. His most recent readings he stations by the bed he's perched on as he reads a text about mechanical innovations while his little black dragon roosts on his shoulder.

As the only one from their world, Yuri has taken it upon himself to learn as much as he can for the sake of their people. It does, however, demand such concerted focus that he can lose entire afternoons to his self-assigned study. ]

[ Throwing Bruce's grief back into his face? Maybe not specifically, but there's something very deliberate about it. He sets the box next to him and doesn't touch it further.

It is trouble, but since she's asked. ]

I've participated in two missions since my arrival. The rest hasn't been anything of consequence.

[ And Bruce will leave him to it. He offers no further help as he stands and gathers his rather generous gifts. He calls for Ace to follow him and the two make their way back toward the apartments so he can put these terrible treasures out of sight and out of mind. ]

[Mayuko stares harder at the brightly colored chocobo; it takes her a moment to consider why that green and blue combination seems familiar.]

... ah! Like peafowl, then! The females only have a portion of the coloring the males do.

[Another note to jot down, then she looks over to Dion.]

Where do you come from, sir, that you are familiar with them?

[ blaze smiles as silver finishes up the very last of the fence. it really is lucky that he's here—she doesn't know what she'd have done about this without him. shadow is too independent to work together on something like this, and even though she and amy could do it, she's certain it would have taken much longer without silver's powers.

still, she can't help but be a bit concerned, placing a hand on his shoulder, blaze glances to the bandage. ]

Just make sure you don't push yourself. I can handle the confrontation if it comes to that.

[ she's not afraid of a fire-wielding bird, as she's confident in her own mastery over flames.

anyway, his question: ]

And only in passing. It seemed like it wanted to challenge me, but as long as I didn't bother it, it didn't bother me. My concern is if someone who doesn't know better approaches it.

[ she's thinking of that little girl she'd met in aphaia, honestly. ]

I'm afraid I haven't! My mother was a young wife in the 70's; she was interested in Western-style cooking, but I can't recall much gelatin being used. If the fad was still... a thing decades later.

[Mayuko is careful about getting into people's personal space. Thank years of exposure to Sohma sensitivities on that score. But she is trying to peer at the text for clues.]

Which places are being mentioned, if I may ask?

No? I suppose not.

[ she'll hover over to where the creature warks and kwehs, seeming rather excited, but making no motion with its own wings, gently touching down on the ground. then, she places a hand against it, gently petting it. ]

Let's go. To the stairs then.

[ she'll nod in the direction they came from, intending to lead it there. ]

Just Blaze, if you will.

[ blaze is quick to correct him—she's not even a lady in the first place, but a princess. still, instead of those formalities, she holds out her hand, offering it for him to shake. ]

Your manners are impressive, but there's no need for formalities around me.

[Silver smiled up at the fellow up in the tree. He didn't make any sudden moves, recognizing that the birds up in the tree were skittish at his presence. He didn't really look intimidating due to his three and a half foot height, but he knew that he looked different than a lot of the beings here (at least that he'd seen so far). That in itself could be scary to some.]

Oh! If you're stuck or want to get down, I can help you with that if you like! [Silver wouldn't feel right if he just kept going on his way and just leave the guy up there. He figured he'd ask if he needed help first. The hedgehog turned his attention to the nervous looking birds in the trees.] It's okay, I'm not going to hurt any of you, I promise. [He didn't know if the birds would understand him or not, but he at least tried to show in body language and tone, that he was safe.]

Ah, w-wait, I don't know if I have enough for all of you...

[ blaze stammers out as the chocobos begin to swarm her, leaning in curiously and even eagerly butting their heads against her. she's holding out the greens she does have in open palms, both to make sure that those beaks don't snap down on her fingers, and so that it's first come, first served. ]

Perhaps I'll have to bring back more, later.

[Silver tilted his head with a small smile.] I've never seen birds like these before. I saw blue ones like those at other places with lots of water while I was exploring.

I...actually just arrived here in Etraya. Were you brought here by Echo and Aurora too? [Though he was excited to meet someone knew, he refrained from approaching closer, and kept his voice at a calm volume. He didn't want to scare the birds.]

My homeland is Sanbreque, though chocobos can be found throughout Storm. It's the western landmass of Valisthea.

[ She didn't ask for a geography lesson, but Dion thinks it a more complete answer. ]

Different varities of chocobo can be found depending on the region, as you might imagine.

[ He isn't an expert, but he can share what he does know of them. ]

Hearing that this seems to be a temporary arrangement causes Mayuko to relax noticeably. While she had met them when she had first arrived, seen them thrive in their feline shape, she is still glad that it is a matter of choice for Sleeper to bond, rather than a 100% necessity. Their independent personality shines through.

"I would be delighted to join you. Although I've only driven chocobos, never ridden one directly."

The chcocobos in Etraya are all different sizes, as well as colors. Getting to a seat on chocobo-back will be something she has to figure out for any she befriends enough to accept a rider.

[ What is a man but a mass of formalities— no, that's just Dion. Yet he isn't obstinate in this regard. It isn't polite if someone doesn't wish to be addressed that way. ]

As you wish.

[ He takes her hand... Only to turn it and place his other om top of it. This has been Dion's compromise between being genteel as he was taught and what others may find excessive out of a courtly setting. ]

Then I am pleased to meet you, Blaze.

[ His tone is quite sincere when he speaks, after which he releases her hand. ]

[ he's asked very few people, not enough to warrant various individuals to search for her, but enough to see if she's made her presence known. there's nothing that confirms her whereabouts, but there is one thing about her. she's drawn to impossible scenarios, and the hedgehog across from is one of the many. ]

She liked you.

[ that much is true, it will always be true.

a bit of silence, but the other should be aware who the topic of discussion is about. ]

Has she been with you any during your time here in Etraya?

yeah no, "red, angry, relentless" is new to me. I don't think anyone would WANT it to stay. There hasn't been a situation where hunting's been brought up, so I'm unsure who'd be best equipped to capture/kill it if it comes to that.

Is ol' Fireball there hunting for Etrayans to kick into the stratosphere, or are people stumbling into it and pissing it off?

Silver doesn't disturb the pile or try and pick up any of the gifts. Though he does continue scanning the nametags to see if there was any he recognized or if his name was on one of them. "Huh....and all of these were just laying around in random places? I'll have to keep an eye out when I'm exploring in case there's more outside of town."

He looked over with curious interest at the mention of happenings between missions. "Really? What kind of events?" He grinned a little, encouraged that it sounded like there would be things to keep him busy between 'missions'. He wasn't even sure how often these missions occurred. "I just got back from a mission actually. Apparently it was not the norm for new arrivals to get sucked into one." He scritched at one of the larger groups of quills on the back of his head. "I'm no stranger to portal hopping but....wow that other world was something else."

[ that bird doesn't want to go the back way, instead moving to the edge of the roof with a curious look. it flaps its wings, but isn't sure how to do what blaze did.

fire came from her feet, but that isn't the same for the blue chocobo.

warble, wark. flap, flap, but it seems determined. ]

[The cat has picked out the gift of friendship... bracelet. A bracelet braided simply from two lengths of cloth instead of floss or yarn, with a button and loop to latch. The green and yellow coloring is bright, and there does not seem to be fraying.

Mayuko tilts her head as she spies the contents.]

Well! That's... modest. Not a bad one!

[At the voice, Silver looked up after snatching the croissant from the air, spotting the human with red glasses. He grinned.] Thanks! I'm a psychokinetic. I can use my mind to move people, things. Anything in the environment around me really. Comes in handy in a pinch. [He jerks a thumb towards the table and his golden eyes glinted with humor.] Especially with furniture too tall for me.

You have a friend with powers like mine? [The question was a curious one, and his eyes lit up.] That's really cool! I...actually don't really know anybody that has mind powers like mine....[He had to figure them out by the trial by fire method growing up on his own.]

You are familiar with the other one.

[ dion is certainly aware that this shadow is nothing like the other, but even know the hedgehog sees it fitting that the other hedgehog is capable of connecting with people. it's because dion spoke so certain initially without being afraid of him that the younger shadow probably shares some relationship with him ... be it friend or acquaintance, but it doesn't seem like they're enemies at all.

this is shadow's understanding from their initial meeting.

and if he knows he exist, he's sure the other must have mentioned him. whether it was out of anger or pain, it feels almost obvious that he would be vocal... now whether he learned here or at the last world they walked. ]

Learn our differences to avoid making future mistakes.

Silver sees the posture of the other being shift as he leaned in to inspect the floating mug. He continued to levitate it so that he could get a good look, shifting it slowly back and forth to show he had control over its movements. He also didn't mind the questions either. A lot of people didn't know what to make of his powers sometimes.

"Yeah, I was born with them. I'm not sure how exactly. I guess maybe I'm just lucky! I kinda had to figure them out on my own growing up." The mug floated back into his hands and the glow faded from around it. It was clear he was just as fascinated by this 'Custodian' figure as the being was fascinated with him.

"Wow." The hedgehog murmured in quiet amazement as he took all this in. "You're an artificial construct? I had my suspicions but...." He grinned. "You are incredibly advanced and very lifelike! For a minute there I wondered if you were a human wearing cool looking armor!" He chuckled a bit. "Where I'm from, anything artificially constructed....mechanical beings an stuff...that I know of, is hostile. Created by an insane megalomaniac of a scientist." Okay, there was at least one robotic person he knew that was a good person and a friend of his.

"My name is Silver! I'm a Hedgehog."

[ The warning calls from the nearby chocobos alert Fio and she takes that as a signal to start packing whatever few flowers that she has into her supply bag. Standing, she clutches the strap of her bag against her body, preparing to run or hide the other direction at the sign of danger. She checks her surroundings, gaze eventually landing on the woman calling out to her. The stranger doesn't appear to be a threat, but the pack of birds seem to think otherwise, not familiar with the other's presence and obviously not understanding her words only mean that she's checking on the little girl. ]

Hm? I'm alright.

[ Two green birds emerge from the trees, positioning themselves protectively in front of Fio. ]

Um... birdies? She doesn't look like a bad person... [ The pair looks alarmed, with their feathers fluffed up. The birds don't step away. ] ...You might wanna be careful.

[ Where she comes from, the Cage is home to humanity's memories, prayers, and wishes. It also held the data of other selves, born from different possibilities. Though she's never had a chance to interact with another version of herself, she's seen a vision of another who faced her own similar, yet different hardship. Neither world is the wrong one, she thinks. She wonders if this is a similar case here. With the mood he's in right now, she doubts she'll get many answers.

She doesn't need to do anything, but she wants to do something. And she's decided that she wants to become this Shadow's friend. It might be tough, telling the two apart in the case she encounters the other one again, but she'll try. They're separate individuals and she'll treat them as such if that's what he wants. But it saddens her that both appear to have their hearts closed off to others. She continues to wonder why...

There's a long pause, as she contemplates what to do next. Obviously, she isn't going to just leave him alone. ]

My name is Fio, by the way. I've decided you're the one I wanna talk to today. [ Before she grants him a nickname, she wonders if this Shadow will give him his actual name. This is not the "Darkie" she knows of, so a new introduction is in order. She smiles, both apologetic and gentle. ] I'm sorry for mistaking you for the other one... and I'm sorry if the things I said hurt your feelings.

[ Her curious gaze follows the halberd, before turning her eyes back to him. Admittedly, she might be curious about the man just as much as she's interested in the birds, wondering where he learned to wield such a weapon. Is he like a town guard? Or a knight? But right now, he's teaching her how to win over the chocobos, so she needs to pay attention.

She crouches, arms resting across her legs while she watches him reveal the pile of vegetables in the satchel. ]

Kind of like stray kitty cats! [ She grins. ] It sounds like you know lots about chocobos. Were there birdies like these, back where you're from?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 45 of 115

APRIL MINGLE

Garreg Mach → Room with a View

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject