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⏴

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( At that, he looks over for a moment, heel of his palm resting at the top of the steering wheel. )

Where were your parents?

Dad was killed by Two-Face. Mom was killed by smack.

[Jason really doesn’t feel the pressure to mourn either of them. He was a pretty unwanted child.]

I'm sorry.

( He still offers it even if Jason doesn't seem to care much. At that, he pulls into a spot near a diner and parks the Batmobile there, pulling his scarf down from his mouth. )

You don't have to eat. But I'm going to grab something. If you want something though, you can. Money isn't a thing here.

Don’t.

[Jason shifts in his seat. He’s no one’s pity project.]

Chilidog.

[Jason is stepping out of his side, though. Sure, he’s certain that there are other Bats watching him, but Jason could not care less.]

( Leaving it at that, he slips out of the Batmobile and locks it up the moment Jason's out. Hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, he makes his way for the diner, noticing how it seems to be relatively empty at the moment save for the bots working there. Holding the door for Jason to take after he steps through, he eyes the interior for a quick moment before he's making his way over to one of the booths, expecting Jason to follow. )

Is that all you want?

( The chilidog, he means. )

[ There was a nod, it was very careful. He would not make any sudden moves either and he wished he had something to feed the other birds, to assure them that they were all friends here. He'd not encountered the red one, and it was doubtful how Henry would know how to react in such a case. ]

I was, one moment I was in my bed and then the next one here.. though I thankfully have a few people from my world here, I would not know what to do if I were alone.

[ He would manage, probably. ] I think you do not have to worry about them running, from what I've noticed when they start to groom at their wing feathers like that, they are more inclined to stay around.. it seems like a sign of.. trust?

You were in the way.

[ while that is true, because to shadow, everyone is in the way.. he does have something to offer. ]

Staying in here is a bad move, you must relocate.

[ just because they're hiding in the kitchen doesn't mean it's safe. ]

[ he's unable to help them. he cannot help them figure out who they are if they haven't learned yet. if that's the case, then whatever route the other has chose hasn't picked up the pieces. the truth? or the lies? from the way they sounds, from how their energy begins to fizzle out to show shadow he's found some topic to sway their anger, he wonders if they'll snap again despite calming down.

or maybe they're concerned about who they are and having an answer. ]

...

[ he watches them with a trained eye, waiting for if they'll strike, but they stand there still. they just don't know.

they really don't know.

one brow lifts unsure what to make of this. he didn't expect to be standing as long as he has, he thought they would take advantage of this, direct their anger towards something. they don't. in return, the hedgehog crosses his arms waiting for the other to continue speaking. it shows that they have his attention, that if they have anything else to say they can say it. ]

Yeah. [Frankly, Jason was starving, but he didn't want to let onto it. He follows Bruce into the diner, also scanning the place, but for other Bats, and into the booth in question. He takes the position that can readily see the door.]

( When the bot comes over, he puts in an order for a chilidog as well as a sandwich with fries and something vegetarian for a third order that’s meant to go. Add a couple drinks and they’re left alone there in the booth. Just the two of them. )

Is there anything you want to know? About here or in general?

How many of you are there? [Jason starts before correcting himself.] Bats, I mean. Seems like every time I turn around there's another one.

I, nor indeed anyone, should have to police you on such things. As much as you may not have chosen it, for the time being this is your home and you do not, as they say, shit where you eat.

[And when exactly did Loki become such a stick in the mud? Well he’s not really, he just has the feeling that this might annoy the young man a little and having the glasses tossed at his head annoyed him a little. And besides, Loki has seen enough timelines go to hell because of people not caring for the land.

As Scott answers him, which actually is a bit of a surprise, Loki disappears the glasses into his pocket dimension. They are likely worthless, but they are also from Echo or Etraya in some fashion and he wants to investigate what he can.]

We did. I am glad to see you made it, even if you do not want to be here. Unfortunately, you are not alone in that.

Why? Your turf? [is that why Knife's getting blitzed with birds, huh? just say shit clearly, little jerk!]

[Older Jason knows the younger must feel humiliated with how fast the takedown was. But at this point, he might as well emphasize that all the BatFamily members here can give as good as they can take. The younger Jason needs to know there's still a lot for him to learn]

You're not the only one who got trained. We all were.

[With that and with knowing he put a tracker on him, Jason lets him go. He's aware that the younger Jason might find the tracker soon enough but he might as well try to get another read on him. Or at least broadcast to the kid that this isn't going to go down easy for him]

[Jason sees how Vander sidles up to him]

Sure about that? It's kinda messy because it sounds like they come from alternate versions of my world.

[ She doesn't expect to find anything that would be for her. Whatever she had back home were mostly handmade trinkets cobbled together from what she can find outside, often gifted to another. Sometimes they were just ordinary seashells with nothing special done to them. ]

...Have you never received a gift before?

[ That wasn't mistakenly handed to him like the box they have now. She thinks about the little flowers that she's collected so far in the fields. It'll take some extra time for them to dry...

She lifts the piece of fabric out, letting the box drop on the ground so she can better examine it. Carefully, she holds up what appears to be a white... cape? With a fuchsia trim. Big enough to comfortably wrap around Fio like a nice cozy blanket. It feels high quality, something that she would have never been able to own. ]

This isn't mine.

[ A glance over at Shadow, checking his reaction. ]

[Loki cocks his head to the side in consideration.]

I suppose that is a possibility. Still, that seems more likely to happen to one gift, not many. Also, some of them do appear to have cards. Just not specifically addressed ones.

[He watches with interest as the young man easily climbs his way down the wall and he wants to ask, but bites his tongue, at least for the moment.]

I do not believe I have ever expected a gift. Wanted one, sure, but expected? Not quite. Perhaps there is one for you though. You seem like the type who might get one.

Depends on what you mean. Didn't take me long to seize control of Gotham's most powerful drug dealers. Dealt some pretty heavy blows to the biggest trafficker around too. I wanted my Bruce's attention and I got it.

[Jason's body tightens just slightly as he continues to recollect some of his darkest days]

In the end, I nearly killed myself, him, and the Joker. I tried to make him choose. What happened instead was he took a third option.

Are you stupid?

[ shadow, be nice, which he's unable to be. this comes out his mouth so effortlessly so he can't see it from pending's point of view and only his own point of view. ]

It'll help you.

[ see how that bird is trotting up to them with an exciting look on it's face, well, it's just the sparkle in its eyes. anyway, it wants the head of leafy greens that they have. ]

[ An understanding nod. Not too surprising to hear that they're also dangerous. There were friendly dragons in her picture books, just as much as there were vicious ones that would be too difficult for anyone to approach. ]

If I meet a dragon, I hope it's a nice one. Then maybe we can become friends someday!

[ She smiles. Of course. She always wants to make all kinds of friends and she's been trying to learn as much as she can about everyone she meets. Her gaze drifts back towards the pile of greens sitting in the satchel. ]

Hm. Have you tamed a dragon?

[ Something Crane and Bruce had in common: a deeply rooted suspicion of others. It's often a quiet questioning of their motives. A desire to know what they might gain from interacting with him or gaining his favor somehow. Money and power made Bruce an attractive target.

But when those kinds of people threw themselves at his feet, he just stepped over them.

In this instance, he sits down across from Crane, Ace making himself comfortable close by. He wants to understand this version of Scarecrow. If he's anything like the man he once knew back home. And there was really only one way to find out. ]

Dr. Crane, a pleasure to see you again.

[ That's a lie. It's never a pleasure to see anyone. He looks at the box as he slides it over. He doesn't offer to lift the lid. Not right away. ]

How is Etraya treating you?

[well shit.

Knife rolls a good intelligence check on that (22?! (19+3)).......................but an abysmal animal handling check (3 (2+1)).

so while they go still and let the bird convey its wants and Knife finally understands that, wow, actually, the weed isn't for smoking, they......they have never fed a bird before. of any scale.

so instead of just withdrawing the greens and letting them flutter down for the bird's perusal, Knife grabs a fistful of them and unceremoniously throws them in the air like lettuce confetti while stepping around Shadow and putting him between them and birdfeed.]

Alright, fine.

[So far so good so Jason picks out the bigger box next]

[It's been eating at him since the day he awoke on earth. Who is he, and where did he come from? Why does he have all these powers that could easily take out anything on Earth? Even here. It hasn't been at the forefront of his mind, with the whole seeking misplaced revenge, fixing the mess he created and suddenly being thrown in, whatever all of this is. Being presented with essentially another reflection of himself, so prone to violence has gotten him wandering back to who he is. The other's words managing to hit those uncertainties again. Fighting is no longer what he wants while the other allows him the floor. Only a few stray sparks remain coming off his body.]

I thought...before I learned who you were, I thought you were someone who came from the same planet as me. No one could tell me where I came from and...for some time, there was no one else like me on Earth. [Until he met Sonic, but...even he doesn't feel they are quite the same. He clenches his fists.]

Why can I do the things that I can? For what purpose? [Questions he knows the other may not answer for him, but they are things that trouble his mind. Especially when they've been utilitzed for destructive means. Seems to be the same for the other, but it doesn't bother them as much.]

[ it's not like he hasn't been given a gift. to be entirely honest, the shoes he wears are a gift within their own right, and the rings around his arms. the former was designed by a friend, someone who was already excited about the future that would come upon shadow's awakening. he's received many gifts even after that, fifty years and more since her death, it's not unknown to him. there are some things that are worthless and others he holds onto in his own way. ]

Don't think about it.

[ he corrects her quickly knowing she'd be the type to find something for him. moving on from that, he notes the attire, staring at it for a brief second. in the end, whether he knows who it belongs to or not, it's not his problem. ]

It's yours now. You've found it.

[ technically shadow found it, but he doesn't want anything to do with the box. since she opened and pulled it out, the outfit piece is basically hers. ]

There's no one here to take it from you.

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APRIL MINGLE

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well would he really break a handmade gift...

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Pattern recognition

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yes and no.... it depends on the person... fio's innocent, she does no wrong...