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

[devota]

I suppose so.

[She's not sure if it's worth discussing with Aurora.]

Gifts?

[Her tone is questioning.]

I didn't receive a gift, just a formal complaint about Vincent.

[She'd never heard of it before, but she's not surprised that it exists.]

[devota]

God would not have willed it had it not been necessary.

[She doesn't know the single thing about this man she was created for, nor does Claudia care to know, but she does believe the man needed it.]

That man is not here, is he?

no worries!

[cactusy]

Uh-- I guess the latter. I wasn't trying to look for them, but they're all over the place; I found a couple sitting on the sidewalk.

[Half-heartedly hidden underneath a piece of cardboard, but still. She shrugs, raising an eyebrow at Inara.]

Do you really care about finding them, or are you just bored?

[heavensnight]

No. He was for a bit. We came here together but he's gone now. I've stayed behind. Which is strange because I know in the town, I wouldn't exist without him. Here we are.

[she gives Claudia a smile.]

You think that has to do with your god?

[heavensnight]

Those ones seem pretty clingy to you. Maybe they just like you.

[though she doubts it and she gives him a shrug.] Yelling isn't working. Might need a new plan of attack.

And hey, maybe I'll help.

[cactusy]

[Shaw nods at that, shooting him an approving look before turning her attention to one of the chocobos, which is currently pecking perilously close to her combat boot.]

Five keeps things interesting without getting too messy or scattered. And more than one person coming at you means you can knock their heads together; that's always a fun time.

[cantilevers]

[While Vander knew better than to stare at prey animals, he couldn't help but watch the bird pecking at the ground close. He could reach out and touch it, but he dared not spook it after both of them seemed to be fuddling through this whole "bird taming" opportunity.]

See, you know! We should enjoy a bar brawl together someday. Or just a brawl in general. I also have a preference for using other people as weapons on their friends.

[keepitgoing]

[Ah. Yes. He rubs a hand through his hair, side-eying the batch.]

Nooo...

I definitely tried when I was six or seven. Once.

[bubblegumheart]

[Oh.]

Well, see. You're just out of practice! They're not bad for a second attempt. You should try again.

[keepitgoing]

... Maybe I can start digging from further back, then make my way closer.

[He wanders as close as he can get, then slams his fist into the dirt; it smashes through the first hard layer of dirt, down to his forearm, and then he punches again to loosen up the damage he'd done. Now it'll just be a matter of digging toward the chocobo's head—

And maybe get kicked a few times in the process.]

Don't — worry, buddy! I barely feel it! [Okay, he's not immune to sharp chocobo talons, so that does hurt a little, but it's nothing he won't heal from within a day.] Just a little more...! Hey — Mr. Alien Guy! Look out, I don't want him running at you when he's free!

[heavensnight]

Okay, now you're asking me to multitask but I'll see what I can do. Shouldn't be impossible. Worst case scenario, I put the greens in my cleavage and we manage it from there.

[it's a joke but hey, her cleavage is a good third hand at times. great place to hide keys. she moves the food into one hand and motions for Heather to try to stand.]

I can use one arm to keep you steady at least.

[heavensnight]

[Inara? where had she heard that name before? certainly she'd heard it somewhere. Maria takes her hand in a handshake as she tries to remember.] I'm Maria. [and then when her hand goes back to her side, she figures she will have to keep thinking. too bad Maria was such a common name.]

They seemed to like it when you were just sitting here so how about we just sit here for a bit and talk quietly? Might as well get to know each other.

[and Maria can try to figure out how she knew her name.]

[cactusy]

[The suggestion makes a slow smirk spread across Shaw's face, even as the bird delivers its next peck to her boot laces. Surely it's just curious, but even so...]

Gotta say I've liked all the plans you've come up with so far. How can I say no?

[rudelanguage]

[she's readying up to hock some sandwiches, and Knife's double-taking at their reflection in the counter glass.

maybe they should broaden their nose? at the bridge. it's awful narrow. looks punchable. would a bigger nose just make it more punchable? would bigger tusks mitigate that risk? would--] Huh?

[they look over at her. blink. process.]

Here? [here-here and not...abducted-in-general-here? they think about it, then hold up the corresponding fingers.] Three days.

[fresh and new. and also not entirely sure if three is correct.]

I haven't...walked around everywhere yet.

[batsymbol]

Does it look like I'm here with them right now?

( The look he shoots him is one that's gently annoyed but he closes his eyes — steels himself — and takes a long breath. He wants to just leave. Get in his Batmobile and leave. This is reminding him of how stubborn Damian was when they'd first met. Except Damian had different ways of testing his patience to the point where he thought he was going to snap at the young Robin. Maybe he's not cut out for this — maybe he's still too young for all this, but. He's trying. )

I'm here with you because I want you to be here.

[copsormasks]

[Jason is halfway out of the booth when Bruce lets him know why they're here together in the diner. It feels false, in a way. Perhaps a measure to keep Jason close by. He shakes his head at Bruce, unsure if he should trust him or not.

He sits back down, albeit much closer to the edge of the seat. He's ready to run at a moment's notice.]

Do you?

[cantilevers]

[His eyes flicked from her smirk to the bird and back again. No point fighting animals, but he was certain they could find themselves in some fun trouble.]

I suppose we'd need about ten to go up against us for a decent go around to start, yeah? Five each and then assuming they have friends show up to fill the ranks when they inevitably fall.

[batsymbol]

Do you think I do this with just anyone, Jason?

( Do you not know how much of a recluse this young version of the man you know is? The year he's spent here, he's warmed up to the others some — considers Damian a son he may never have — but he's still liable to fall back into old habits and patterns and staying within his tower is the one he does the most. )

You're here because I want you to be. That's it. There's no motives, no game being played, no master plan being put into motion. It's just you and me. Right here.

[copsormasks]

Bruce meets with anyone with his phone number. [Jason snorts, playing at the edge of the table before shaking his head.]

Y'know, it's one of the first meals we had. I was starving and got us both chilidogs.

[He looks at the chilidog in front of him and remembers just how hungry he was that day. How Bruce looked like a saint. But all of that is in the past.]

And now I'm a mistake.

[batsymbol]

( One of the most difficult things about all of this— about any of this with any of them, is the fact that he will always be compared to the Bruce they know, the Bruce they have memories and experiences with... the Bruce they have emotional scars and bruises with. There's nothing he can do to fix those and he wonders, a lot of the time, if he should just stay away, lest he be a reminder of a bad memory or moment with the Bruce they know.

But he's still here. Until he feels he shouldn't be anymore. )

You're not to me.

[leastdramatic]

[Jason frowns as Vander describes it. It sounds similar to another drug from his world]

Yeah, sounds like it could cause a lot of trouble. We got a drug back home that's similar. It's called venom.

[leastdramatic]

[Jason accelerates his bike to catch up to Cloud. He's still a bit jealous at all the tricks Cloud pulled off last time but it was great thrill too]

Gotta show me how you made your toy!

[copsormasks]

[Jason is busy picking at the edge of the table when Bruce replies. He pauses and looks up, appearing for a moment or two like the teenager he is.]

No? Sure you're not gonna change your mind?

[cantilevers]

Yeah, your little brother already asked me about it and mentioned Venom. They do have similar attributes.

[He sighed because it brought them around to the point at the start.]

Venom isn't here from what I've been made to understand. Shimmer has a high likelihood of arriving. And if this doctor has his fear toxin involved, we might be finding ourselves contending with a drug trade.

[batsymbol]

( Sitting back some, he regards Jason there. )

Are you about me?