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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[Vander shook his head, knowing he was replaying it in his head as he had for years. His jaw worked under the weight of her fury, and he stared her down as she was doing him without even flinching. He narrowed his eyes as she named dropped Felicia, and it was one name that he didn't speak of often. It felt like ripping open the wound of her death.]

You're right. I did let it slide on by because he was dead by all accounts. I directed the undercity fury forward; we had lost so many. I made the choice, but I never forgave myself for what happened. [His voice was cold and calm, unwilling to rise to her own tirade.] And the situation at the Pilt wasn't anything Felicia would have done in a role reversal. She didn't have that kind of rage. [Silco's unending rage that made the man both brilliant and perilous.

It was his turn to step up because this was undercity mannerism in their fullest. Neither of them willing to back down and lose face, but also, beating the shit out of each other was probably the only way to expend the energy.]

And how did that make you feel, hmm? You didn't watch me die, but you definitely played your part in the lead up. Was it your idea to lure the kids in? [He leaned down so they were nose-to-nose.] Killing me wasn't the point that day, was it? You, him, that little gang was there to expose me to the new revolution, maybe convince me by force to join up? That your play?

[He laughed and it was humorless.] You don't know half of what I did behind the scenes. You don't know what I had with topside, but sure, blame me for Zaun's weakness. It's a pretty package that way, isn't it?

How unkingly of you to be so passive. [Fuck you with those “ifs” and all. ]

Very well, if someone’s going to take the reigns around here, then it may as well be me.

[As he walks backwards a few steps, hands out towards the stables.] Eh?

[It doesn't even occur to Accelerator to clarify his less-than-polite language to her. Most other kids he's run into understand that they are, at the very least, bad words, and unlike other people in Etraya it never bothers him when kids swear. It's just his verbal tic, nothing important and not worth thinking about.

He puts another book away, and when Fio points out the one with the moon he's going to wander back over to it and flip through a couple of pages. It's definitely a book for kids, kind of fairy tale-ish. He can't really fault a kid for liking a fantastical story that involves a parent being ]

Yeah, you have to think about the lack of oxygen, the low temperature, air pressure issues, and that's not even getting into the amount of thrust you need to escape the planet's gravitational pull. [Oh God he's such a nerd.] It isn't that hard to get high into the air, but a couple of kilometers up it starts getting rough.

[He's speaking from personal experience, being able to fly and all. All of those things are things he needs to calculate for, depending on his altitude.]

A wise king takes decisive action when it is opportune.

[Unlike Cid, who is impetuous and impatient as it gets. Thus his inaction has been odd.

He looks at Cid, eyes dark and distant as he considers him. Then, silently, he follows. No dismissal or criticism about him "taking the reins", just quiet compliance. For now, at least.]

[Barnabas is talking bullshit, and they both know it. Cid lets it slide for now as they walk over to the stables. After all, Barnabas had spoke of his negligence. If he wasn’t full of shit, he’d explain himself.]

[It takes forever to go from one part of the fortress to the other, but Cid doesn’t mind the walking. They eventually make it there, in either case, to excited whinnying greetings from the colts.]

Ah, have I confused you? It’s not quite suppertime, Ixion.

[Cid approaches, patting the creature’s head, gently placing a hand on its horn to pretend any accidental impalings as it nuzzles him. ]

[His silence continues as they make their way, but his eyes stay on Cid as he guides them both to the stable. Though, his mind is both with them and with the chocobos they left behind, and he considers how best to capture them later.

For now, however, he will bask in Cidolfus showing young Ixion favor he deserves, while Grani lts out an indignant huff. Pawing two hooves at the ground with that same indignation, as if that alone would afford him attention. It does work, admittedly, for Barnabas crosses over the length of the stable to approach the young colt, petting the expanse of his snout.]

It would seem your presence cured him of his ills.

… So he was lonely, is that it?

[Cid unlatches his stall and lets the creature prance out. He falls to a knee and continues to pet and pamper Ixion.]

If only everyone were so forthright, eh, Ixion?

The feathers do have unique properties! There's something inherently magical to it, heat does radiate off of it (not an unbearable heat, but a single feather could certainly keep someone's hands warm on a chilly winter day for example). Should someone know how to utilize the magic in the feathers (if they are familiar with such practices), they might be able to use it to cast magic in a limited capacity (a fire spell or haste upon themselves). However, that burns the feather up, even if the attempt ends in failure.

( Kids. )

Do you want anything else here?

Here like here? [Jason sets his hands flat on the diner table.] Or here? [He makes a swiveling motion with one of his fingers.]

"Nice to meetcha Kirk!" Silver grinned, planting hands on his hips with a nod. "Yeah...I woke up and pretty much got booted through the portal to Aphaia. Talk about a rude wake up call! I'm not a stranger to portal hopping but geez..."

He shook his head. "I sure don't miss that place. So far from what I've seen of Etraya, this place is gorgeous! So vibrant and full of life." He spread his hands. "I had just left the hospital and was flying around exploring." The map on the HUD didn't do the place justice. It was large enough that it would probably take him a few days to check it all out.

[It doesn’t occur to Loki that someone might think of that as a ‘bummer,’ it is simply the truth. Who doesn’t want a gift? It’s not like he has anything to complain about, he grew up royalty, never wanted for anything, not really. But nothing he got ever felt like a true gift. They were all things to make him better, or teach a lesson. Okay, except for maybe some books from Frigga, but that’s not something he’s thought about for hundreds of years. And nothing he’s received has ever been wrapped up like the one in the other man’s hand.

As the man thrusts out the gift towards him, Loki looks surprised and then frowns slightly, looking down at the item before slowly taking it.]

Thank you. That is quite kind of you.

[Almost delicately, Loki opens the gift to find a package of pens and actually smiles as if it’s a good gift.]

Well, now I suppose I have something to write out a thank you card with. Who should I make it out to?

[Yes, this is his way of asking for Spider Man’s (or Peter’s) name.]

[Jason nods]

New place means new opportunity for his so-called experiments. It might be a disaster if he makes contact with your so-called buddy.

Edited 2025-05-11 22:31 (UTC)

Just as Shadow's tended to be surly and anti-social, Silver could always count on Amy to care with such a big heart. His expression softened a little at her touch to his arm. He knew she'd worry anyway even at his reassurance.

"I'm glad you made it out of there unscathed." He blew out a breath. "I'm kind of looking forward to exploring this place though. From what I've seen out windows it looks a heck of a lot nicer." Lush and green. Lots of trees. Spread out buildings around what appeared to be a town or hub.

"I just figured I'd linger and grab a snack." He'd never turn down free food. "I'm glad I did!"

Silver's quite enthusiastic. Kirk will give him that much.

"What is your world like? Is it normal for you to portal hop?" He asks, curious. It sounds like Etraya's display of plant life is unusual for Silver.

Silver nodded at the Custodian's observations about Dr. Eggman's robots. Despite having never been to his world, the other constructs words were pretty accurate. The observation about him pulled a small chuckle out of him and he shrugged a little.

"We have a saying. 'What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.'" He admitted. "And I'm super stubborn. Besides. I can't just lay down and do nothing. I have to help. My experiences drove me to try and do what I can to change it for the better so that no one had to live what I went through." This single mission focused drive was a boon but could also be a hindrance. Especially in peace time where there was no set objective to complete.

[Silver echoed the small smirk on Scott's lips. He found himself liking the guy. He had cool shades too. The hedgehog found himself nodding in complete understanding though at the descriptions of both Shadows that the human had met.]

Ah yeah. The 'dick' one is from my world. I don't have as much dealings with him outside of big battles or world crisis'. He's not too social of a guy. [Silver had nothing against Shadow personally. He was just hard to deal with sometimes.] The other one? I saw only briefly. When I got hit by shrapnel from an exploding vehicle. [He pointed at the bandage around his upper arm.] I didn't get to interact with him much before he disappeared.

In fact, I haven't bumped into either of them here yet since I woke up in the hospital.

Love doesn't save people, but it makes that life worth living.

[ Love doesn't save people. It's not magical like that. ]

There we go!

[Silver's tones were friendly and encouraging as his hands grasped An Zhe's. The glowing cyan aura surrounding his body rippled and moved to include the boy in its glow as it swirled over him. The air within it felt warm and tingly as the density and pressure of the air changed. But it didn't hurt nor was it uncomfortable.]

Okay, now all you need to do, is stand up! I got you. [An Zhe would be fully supported by him now if he stood up in mid-air off the tree branch. Silver figured this might be better than just lifting him off the branch himself. Sometimes folks liked that level of autonomy and control.]

Worst comes to worst, they're edible.

[ He pauses. Eyes them. ]

Probably.

[ Carver makes a brittle noise. ]

You don't need it. This - [ he gestures vaguely at their surroundings, and then at something beyond. Something perhaps intangible. ] This is a graveyard. That's what we are now.

God above.

[She makes a gesture with her hand.]

Were you able to make it to Canada?

[It sounds to her like an insanely risky situation.]

Everyone needs some love, Carver. And if this is a graveyard then I'll start tidying up the graves. This is where I'm living now, until I die, assuming we can die of old age.

[ This isn't his home, but it is now. He's still getting used to that idea, that he's going to be here forever now. Even if he gets shot he'll just come back again, and again, and again. Escaping Etraya is just... nothing. ]

There was something familiar about Sameen, he could not quite place his finger on it (That was probably due to the fact that he'd only seen the President's Assistant from a distance). Now, certainly it would not be as much of a mind-fuck to him as it would be to Alex, considering that she bore a striking resemblance to Zahra, but it was still there at the back of his mind.

"Well I am not too terribly interested in mis-matched socks no, but I figure I would lend a hand to anyone who wanted it." Now if he found some Mars bars or perhaps even a Cadbury Dairy Milk with Caramel bar, he would not call it a complete bust-- chocolate was chocolate, after all.

"So you are not even remotely curious about presents and there contents?"

At this point, I think all we can do is watch them. I'm not a fan of punishment before a crime. I think it would be smart to put in contingency plans as a just in case.

[It seemed that he and Jason would be working together after all.]

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APRIL MINGLE

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cw: child abuse mention

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