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

Amy, there you are.

[ blaze is already ahead of her, pouring herself a cup of tea with a single treat to bide her over for now. with her plate and teacup both ready, she makes her way over to the familiar girl. ]

I'm happy to see that you've returned safely as well.

[He takes a honey roast chicken sandwich out of the bag and holds it out.] They only have pastries in the cafeteria.

[ Sevika may be distracted by the voice, but there's no way she doesn't feel that "kid" ram into her and rifle through her pockets. Knife lucks out (because I rolled a 4 rip). It's in the very first pocket they can get their hand into, and they manage to get it out fast, but is it fast enough to evade Sevika as she whips around toward them?

She's making a grab for the kid with her mechanical left hand, claws and all. The apparent youth of the pickpocket does not earn any gentleness from her; she was a little shit thief at that age, too, and no one gave her any grace, so why would she offer it to another?

If she can get a fistful of clothing, hair, an arm, whatever it is, she'll lock the joints in place to make that grip near unbreakable. ]

Hey! What the fuck do you think you're doing?!

Edited 2025-04-26 16:53 (UTC)

Understood! Etraya will be in for quite a lightshow! Just let us know to what extent the damage becomes when it gets there, for the bird or wherever they end up fighting.

Feel free to ask any further questions if any arise while you thread this out, too. Though I will add one more note of characteristic for old Red: he will protect the other chocobos, and will not bring them purposeful harm. Whether this will be relevant or not to the thread, it is worth noting giving the possible extent of damage by the clash.

[One more moment of thought. One moment to study this subject.

A physicist, perhaps? Or possibly a chemist? He would think the latter, then surmise he specialises in biology given his approach to the natural world.]

Dynamic and constantly changing. Much like the mind...

[Knife's usually better at sniffing things out, but hunger and all the uncertainty's making it tough. so even though Knife tries to get a read on him, they can't (insight check: 10 (5+5)).]

What's this one costing. [they're only partway reaching to take it, weighing whether or not to just snatch it and bolt.

I swear, if he says "say please"...]

[the hair is easy to part with; it lifts off Knife's scalp without resistance. it's the clothing they can't really easily lose, so when mechanical fingers snag a fair bunch of their coat, Knife finds their hasty getaway in danger.

with GET AWAY the blaring, violent thought in Knife's mind, eloquence is left at the door, and Sevika only gets desperate grunts and hisses as they tuck the planchette safely away before making more dedicated efforts to flinch free; there's a clink when they sharpen their teeth and try biting the hand, and that fucking hurts.

next tactic is just starting to wriggle free of the coat entirely to make their break.

shrill:] LET GO!

[shit.

this big dude has intel?

fuck.

Knife's expression pinches briefly, then flattens back out.]

What kinda occurrences?

[Interesting phrasing... A mental health professional perhaps?]

Yes, always. It's easy for people to use metaphors and similes comparing one's mind to nature.

Of course. People like to imagine they share a spiritual connection.

[Crane believes himself professional. Rachel Dawes would label him the consummate unprofessional professional. Regardless, he continues with his calm and uneering stare.]

But I hardly made the comparison because it is simple. I made it because it is accurate. The mind is as much a physical world as it is a mental sphere.

To be honest with you, I only set prices because that’s what you seemed to expect. I’m giving this to you.

[He doesn’t pull it back. He doesn’t say anything else. He’s patiently waiting for a response.]

[that gets a scowl.

as they snatch the sandwich:] That's how shit is. Numbers or not. Unless givin' me stuff makes you just. Feel good.

[weirdo.]

Giving you a sandwich now might mean you have energy to fend off an attack later. All of us are working towards the same objective. [He points out.]

Same reason I let you slap me. Our mission was to survive. [He adjusts the strap on his bag and closes it back up. He’ll reopen it if Knife is still hungry.]

[there's a moment there where Knife nearly eats the thing still wrapped, but catches themself and tears the packaging off with an irate mutter, dropping the litter on the floor and all but shoving the whole thing in their mouth in one go. they eat like a street animal - like someone not very certain where and when meals will come up.

there's an audible gulp to swallowing a bunch of that down. savor? never met her.

exhaling shakily:] Shit... [food of substance! and not just trail mix or whatever the fuck was stowed in a rucksack!]

[ Calling him an ally is insufficient. Calling him a friend may not encompass how uniquely important the man is to Dion. Joshua once went to great pains to save him, but what is simplest will have to suffice for this conversation.

Dion has entirely too many feelings regarding the Phoenix, it's fine. ]

He is around my height. Slim and long-legged. [ He makes this distinction, for his own physique is more muscular, especially his legs. A dragoon's build as opposed to a fencer's. ] His hair is a sandy brown, with red tones more evident in the sunshine, and his eyes are blue like the skies. His complexion is fair. He inclines toward wearing black and red.

[ He's endeavoring to be brief, he truly is. ]

Fire is his element as light is mine; he exudes a certain warmth.

Edited 2025-04-26 19:17 (UTC)

[For a couple of second, Accelerator assumes he's going to just be ignored. That isn't something he'd be too bothered by, he's interrupting someone's reading session by being a critical asshole. Ignoring him would be the mature thing.

He's a little surprised to get an answer, and a reasonable one that isn't just 'fuck off.' He raises an eyebrow, stepping closer.]

Yeah, exactly. Unless you're into sterile walls and floor, and the smell of disinfectant, and newbies wandering around all freaked out, then this place is shit.

[Not to mention the questionable welcome pastries baked by the companion bots, and the uncomfortable cafeteria chairs.... Yeah, he doesn't see the appeal.

His attention wanders to the book as he reads the title and author.]

That Hesse?

[He reaches into the bag and takes out another. He holds it out. That little moment told him a great deal.

This is a street kid. When and how, hard to say. But he recognizes it.]

Where'd these come from? [they don't hesitate this time, snatching it and promptly shoving it into his satchel--

trying to. too much shit. they do some hasty moving of some junk into a pillow case to make room for food. gotta save this shit, just in case.] There's no numbers in the sky here, either. So.

( thankfully for people like knife, inara was a woman who hated being in the dark and unaware of her surroundings. upon her arrival she was quick to use her skills and knowledge to get information out from others like henry and jayce, who were eager to assure her she would be fine.

she wasn’t as quick to assure others as she had to look out for herself, but it gave her more of an advantage. the payment system here though?

that was something she was still trying to figure out herself. )

That’s actually a really good question. I suppose if we walk out of here with the items and no one stops us…

( she looked side to side to see if anyone else was around to hear that before she returned her attention back to knife. )

At the very least I know there isn’t really a money system here apparently. Points? But I’m not quite sure how that works either.

[fuck around and find out does tend to be Knife's modus operandi, but honestly? if someone else here was gonna do it for them? all the better. shoplift away, madam; they'll follow your lead...or slink away when you're being arrested or whatever happens here.

...come to think, if things are around unguarded, there might be a trap woven into the fabric. they should sniff around for magic before leaving the premises.]

Points... [they hesitate, then tap at their earpiece.

...no numbers flash up like Aphasia.]

But no more scores?

( there was no animosity in her voice or expression when she turned to fully face dion— instead she was taking a more kinder approach to things. she was a woman all alone on a strange planet without any weapons or her crew to back her up. it was in her favor to make allies and while she didn’t enjoy being manipulative for the sake of it…

she reasoned it was in everyone’s benefit to be friendly with each other. so she stood up from where she was seated, taking the plant into her hands with a soft smile. )

No need for apology, this more than makes up for it. See that gift over there—

( she turned her head towards the river behind them. )

I wonder if that bird could be used to cross it to get it. Should we give it a try?

Correct.

[He is content to affirm but nothing more; seeing no reason to compliment the other's intelligence for reading a name off a page.]

You speak like you are familiar with his work.

[Don't get him started on literature he'll talk your ears off.]

Etraya is another world. We don’t have to worry about numbers or entertaining anyone.

This came from the shops. This whole city was built to house anyone tied to Aurora. [He isn’t as tense here. If one were to look they would see he is more relaxed. He leans against the wall, arms crossed.]

I can’t say I’ve asked about it, but so far the lack of floating cameras watching us and any notice of ‘points dropping’ seems to have gone away. You’ve noticed it too right? How peaceful this place seems—

( in comparison to that strange world they were first brought to. while she did seem more sure of herself now, frankly that was a terrifying experience.

especially for a new arrival. )

Anyways care to join me in some shopping? Are you new here as well?

Mmn. Yeah. One showed up for you too actually.

[ She's got others to deliver too, but this one is easy. It showed up while he was gone, but Furiosa is well practiced in quiet patience. Max has a way of turning back up no matter what.

Reliable. It's nice to have someone like that again. Trust isn't a negotiation, it's just something expected, given, and exchanged without discussion.

The box is small, she can carry it with one hand, holding it out for him. ]

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APRIL MINGLE

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gift hunt