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

[copsormasks]

Why don't you riddle it out like Nygma?

[Jason keeps walking; his legs are starting to get sore.]

[definecat]

"No, they were helping keep me safe from those who might do that or worse. My parents got really upset when they were offered a pharmaceutical contract based on some of my...early secretions."

It had been interesting to learn, once they understood. Apparently humans have an interesting relationship with intoxicants.

"It wasn't actually sealed most of the time. Just a place to be. And protection."

[lordfuckleroy]

[ He has a friend in Alex (tentative though it may be) and also there is Shaan, Kaeya and Lumine. But there is something in Dion that he senses, perhaps it is royal intuition-- someone who might have adhered to similar traditions as him.

And perhaps the ensuing expectations as well.

The tea is brewed a'la the old fashioned way and it comes quick with the little silver tea holder where the mixture is held to steep in the porcelain cup. He motions toward a table that is near the window, overlooking a decent vantage of this place that they had found themselves. ]

[limiterrings]

Pathetic.

[ they can't let things go, can they? shadow has mastered the art of being alone, allowing people their freedom as long as it doesn't get in his way, and showing his disinterest initially didn't seem to get through that thick skull of theirs. he doesn't have anything worthwhile to offer ever, the extent of their relationship is only they know each other exist, and to move on. even with maria's request, he's doing just as she asked.

as long as he doesn't attack him then that should be enough.

rather than rest, his eyes look up through the gaps between the leaves, what dappled sunlight slips through, and how the shadows of the leaves dance along himself that he can see. it kills time, it gives him time to think, when the breeze pushes against the limbs of the tree, there's only one visible gap for the sunlight to peek through. above his chest, in a familiar spot, and his hand raises to touch the area thinking something is wrong. it's fine, he's thinking too hard, it's only because he has her on his mind.

time passes, he never attempts to sleep, there's no need considering the other hedgehog is around somewhere. whatever sounds came from him had ceased before, maybe he left, or maybe he's watching him from somewhere else. either way, the hedgehog doesn't move from the limb he's laying on.

he doesn't move at all. if he could stay right here the entire time, then he would. it's like this every time, he starts to detach himself from this world, his thoughts are primarily of her. he remembers her face, the way she cried, how she was scared, those curious, blue eyes of her filled with pain because he acted unlike himself. things have changed, is he so different from what he used to be. on the ark, yes, he would rather flee than fight, he didn't want her hurt, but... now to keep her promise, to keep her memories safe from anyone or anything at all. he has to fight.

his hands have been covered in blood many times. it won't change. even if he has to kill himself, it'll never change.

there's something, a tremble, the sound of something coming, and the sound grows louder and louder as familiar birds run through. they screech, they sound afraid, they stomp their feet as they run, but there's one that pecks against the bark of the tree. one leg lifts to scratch claws against it, and shadow ignores whatever this is. as long as he's up here, or so he thought, he'd be safe. unfortunately, these things would climb, it would hop up, beak pulling at his glove to tug him down. shadow yanks his arm away, an annoyed expression written over his face as he glares down at the bird.

upon close inspection, the feathers are a color off, a light shade is colored red, and even the smell is starting to hit his nose. whatever this is, he wants no parts, and he shows that by ignoring it again. unfortunately the bird doesn't let up, it uses it's upper body strength and rams into the tree, hoping to shake him out or break it down. the latter hopes come, the hedgehog jumping out of the tree with ease, and he watches waiting for it to leave.

unfortunately, staring at the bird, the way it warbles and cries, it looks almost familiar as it tries to get his attention. it runs up to him, catching shadow by the scruff with its beak to bring him along. initially his eyes widen briefly before he brings a hand to the creature's beak, pulling himself out of its grasp until another chocobo appears, hopping in place to show them where they need to go. it's with a click of his tongue that smacks away one of those overeager beaks that come close, only to move forward. the smell of blood grows stronger in the air.

as he moves forward to break the foliage to see what it is, there's the sound of something wet being beat into. the sound of something cracking, and what he stumbles upon is what he should have expected, even the look on his face shows some disappointment. not because of the scene, but because what else could it be, who else could it be? he thinks to turn away, this isn't his battle, this isn't anything he's part of.

"just don't get in my way."

and shadow will do just that. he turns heel, ready to leave, but one chocobo stands in the way with its feathery chest keeping the older from leaving. the creature cries, it's afraid, scared for the other one as they haven't snapped out of it. a comrade dead from fear. not like shadow cares. it's still not his battle, not his war, it's nothing to him.

"he deserves to live and be happy, just like you do."
words linger at the back of his head. nothing he needs to worry about. nothing that has anything to do with him. he can have his own life, maria. what he chooses to do is how he wishes to live, and how he will be happy.

"the two of you are your own beings, but you are both shadow and i deeply care for you both."
and why is that as he thinks back, his movements slow down as he already regrets his future actions. it's with a golden flash that he bridges the gap between him and the younger hedgehog, from behind, he pins their wrist against the tree from behind, blood staining his own white glove from the assault the other displayed. she wouldn't want this, this isn't something she'd want for him either, but... as shadow, he finds the display chaotic and unneeded. it's violence that he knows so well.

this isn't them, or whatever caused this, then he'll figure it out to put a stop to it. ]

Enough.

[godsandbats]

"Your equivalent to a baby bed then?" Kirk asks. As a scientist, Kirk is interested in to know more about Sleeper's abilities, though not in a lab rat way.

[definecat]

"Yes."

That it could also be used as a trap was not something they wanted known, but Kirk had clearly already seen that.

"My symbiote parent and his host were in agreement that I not be forced to bond too early. That I should be 'raised properly.'

"The cannister was a safety measure because it would keep me from eating anything by accident or other less polite things we can do when acting on more animalistic urges. Also, it would protect me from certain weapons if someone found out about me and tried to eliminate me as a threat. My kind aren't very well-liked."

[oblige]

Dragons must either be raised or tamed, not unlike chocobos. However, they can be far more dangerous. You can ride them, but I would not advise doing so without someone experienced to accompany.

[ Not too many questions in Dion's opinion. Dragons are so important to Sanbrequois culture and religion that, if anything, he's only too happy to speak about them.

That and, of course, the fact that he turns into one. ]

Generally speaking, they are intelligent creatures. They grow more cunning with experience, so it is best to tame them young, when they are less difficult to contend with.

[godsandbats]

"Why so?" Kirk asks, curious. Sleeper is unusual but decent company so far. Though perhaps he should not be one to talk when it comes to what's proper socialization.

[oblige]

I was considering the merits of luring them away from multiple fronts, but that requires more than one person.

[ If the chocobos are drawn away from the parcel in this manner, the hope is that none of them trample it. Dion had considered the merits of throwing greens, but that wouldn't give any assurance of success. ]

A pincer maneuver, so to speak.

[ He suggests this, seeing the offer of aid for what it is. It's the "we" that indicates a certain willingness to get involved, so Dion thinks. ]

[levelshift]

[Success! ... Sort of.

For a split second Accelerator thinks he's got this figured out. He'll let the book dry out, put it away, and... maybe wake her up. At least move her to one of the chairs or something, so she doesn't stay sleeping on the floor.

Then her tiny hand curls around his and he freezes.

This brat isn't Last Order, he knows that. He's delusional, but not delusional enough to be mistaking one girl for another one. Regardless of that, she's still a little kid who's been put into an unimaginably difficult and unfair situation through no fault of her own. She shouldn't be here, having to worry about missions and saving her universe and potentially dying; she should be back in her home, with her mother and father or whatever family she has. She should be exploring the library with them, not falling asleep on the floor here.

It's his own baggage causing him to hold back from just waking her up. If she was a fellow teenager or an adult, he wouldn't hesitate.]

.................................

[Drawing in a slow breath he lets go of her head, and doesn't pull his other hand away. He's glad there isn't anyone in this section of the library right now, because he's making the decision to just let her cling and wake up at her own pace. It's mildly embarrassing for a teenager, even though he doesn't really mind doing it.]

[oblige]

I'd sooner avoid being pelted with boulders from the heavens, myself.

[ Dion clarifies without any further prompt than her having echoed the words. He absolutely meant that kind of meteor. ]

As you say, they are those leafy vegetables.

[ He reaches for the satchel he'd brought with him, lifting the flap to reveal a small collection of the very crop they're discussing. ]

[thelightshines]

-!? [It happened so quickly that he had no time to react. He left himself open, had forgotten for a moment who else was here in this forest. Now he's paying the price.]

You! [He snarls something feral in that voice. He told them to stay out of his way. They're attacking him again. Giving orders. Catching him like this. Ignorant of his existence. It's their fault he's hurting. He hops slightly to press his shoes against the tree, jets going off at full power to force the other hedgehog flying backwards. Where? To pin them to a different tree. If not, angle himself in a way so he flys above them and tosses them back with a flip.]

[wolfish]

[ Yuri's quite occupied with scrutinizing a diagram when the door opens. At first he hardly reacts, still squinting at the page and not looking up. His first response is to glance toward a clock rather than the door, supposing it's An Zhe stopping by because it's meal time, but the lone utterance dashes that assumption.

An Zhe's voice is not that low.

The thought is enough to make Yuri look toward the doorway, but he isn't prepared for what he sees there. Rather, he never expected who he sees there. ]

Dimitri?

[ He can't help but gawk. Dimitri hasn't looked like that since the academy days, abbreviated as they were. ]

[restingstitchface]

[What a nice suggestion. Crane gently leans forward, occupying more room, more space in the younger man's mind. Impressing himself with intimidation coached as amicability. He gently presses his lips together and angles his head.]

Perhaps somewhere private is better. Unless you have no problem about our meeting raising all sorts of questions. [You know who he means. He, too, has that family breathing down his neck.] Barring the fact if you want to cause them a little trouble, of course.

[And who doesn't mind doing that?]

[limiterrings]

[ what a damn child.

he's been left with this. shadow's quick, allowing for the younger hedgehog to move at top speed to try and force him back into a tree. luckily, since the other doesn't hold onto him, he's able to activate his own shoes to go up and over, making it so they collide into a tree by themselves.

maybe it'll be a wake up call, or maybe it'll make him angrier. ]

Hmph. Is that all you have for me?

[ he returns to the ground, standing in the center with the chocobo behind him some feet away, at this point he's waiting for the other to appear. if anything, he has to keep him here, he can't go anywhere like that. ]

[copsormasks]

I wouldn't mind, usually, but there's like fifteen of the fuckers.

[His earlier meetings did not go well is when Jason silently telegraphs with his words.]

Private. The store's not far. I can pop in, grab a coffee maker. Unless you're fine with instant.

[Ah yes, the unopened package of instant coffee on Jason's counter.]

Gift in the Glen

[donfire]

[Ace was slightly worried over the guy sitting there, looking at his box for so long. But when he stands and throws something away, Ace gets closer to him, just to try and figure out if he's ok.]

Gift not to your taste?

[thelightshines]

[Angry. Definitely angrier. Even while the other speaks, Shadow is already gone and reappearing behind them. His quills are lit, his movements quicker, aggressive. A chaos spear forms as his arms move to swing it into the other. He's looking for more blood, their blood.]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane tilts his head in acknowledgement. He would explain how closure requires different endings for every victim, but given the overblown response from earlier, he imagines this young man was a victim. So he allows that urge to fizzle and fade.]

Cannibals never are. Most believe themselves above the world and human society, but they always share the same pathology.

[He brings his hands back onto the table, linking his fingers.]

It is that society which affords them the power that transforms them into a taboo. It is easier to pretend they are a terryifying symbol, rather than admit they are just like us.

[internationalrelations]

[And Alex would creep in closer to Henry, using the prince as a royal human shield, peering over his shoulder at the chocobos. He set his hand against the other man's back, full on leaning on him for the time being as he warily watched the birds.]

Yeah you did. But you have your moments, you know, of being okay. Every now and then.

[Totally not crushing on you or anything nope. Not totally straight Alex Claremont-Diaz. But okay better not to focus on that. He'd turn his attention to the birds.]

...hey there... birds. Nice birds... cute birds...

[How's that? Bird whispering skills!]

[restingstitchface]

[Careful. Cautious. Crane has words prepared about how such wisdom vanishes through the absence of fear - but he lets the teenager run his mouth off trying to seem impressive.]

Machine is fine.

[He was close to advising the boy to get an Italian coffee maker. American coffee by comparison is sugared garbage. But in the grand scheme of things, is that truly important?]

[copsormasks]

[Give Jason the chance and he will spout off at the mouth like an angry kettle.]

Got it. We head to the store and then back to my place.

[Casual, cool, friendly, like he isn't trying to avoid at least several bats in order to have a private conversation with Crane.]

[restingstitchface]

One would think so.

[His words weigh heavily on the air. He always indulges his curiosity, his need to understand and pick apart other people's emotions. But the consequences are something he has endured since he was a boy.

He refuses to dwell on what those consequences were and angles his head towards his shoulder, the slightest of gestures that hardly move at all, and instead ask what do you think?]

[levelshift]

[Accelerator stares steadily back at Crane, his mouth twitching a little.]

Spoken like a true psychiatrist.

[There's just a tiiiiny bit of dryness in his tone, not overly hostile, it's just coming from so much experience he had with psychiatrists back home over the years. He follows it up with a sigh.]

I don't know if you'd still believe that after talking to that bastard. [Hannibal was... something different. Scary, despite being a regular human.] But since he isn't around anymore, it doesn't really matter.

[leastdramatic]

[Nope. Still hasn't given up]

Riddle me this. What're you gonna do if this doesn't work out? What's your plan then to supposedly win back being Robin?