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

[cactusy]

I wouldn't complain about that.

[The implicit suggestion that she pet the chocobo is met with a skeptical eyebrow-raise, but... she gives it a couple perfunctory pats, similarly to how one might pet a dog. The bird, in turn, fixes her with a beady, unimpressed stare.]

-- Yeah, I don't think this guy likes me much.

[leastdramatic]

[Jason nods]

We're working on it. You got any suggestions regarding our neighborhood drug distributor?

[fortitudosalutis]

[ That stills him. Nothing else has. But that phrase, how simply John says it. Tidying up the graves.

Carver shakes himself. ]

The dead are owed their due, [ he agrees, a little distantly. Maybe that's the way to honor them in this place. ]

[cactusy]

[Shaw looks down at the birds flocking around her, and very seriously asks them:]

Do you guys taste like chicken?

[Looking up at Carver, she adds:]

You're gonna laugh at me, but I've never gone hunting before. I've killed hundreds of people, but never an animal.

[fortitudosalutis]

[ He shifts, leaning against the wall. Watching her curiously. ]

Not even in survival training?

[cantilevers]

That seems like just as good of a way to pass the time.

[He noted the way that she was petting the bird and had to snort a sound of amusement. His own technique was somehow better, which encouraged him to actually redouble his efforts on that front.]

I hope you don't pet your lovers like you pet that bird. Everyone will leave dissatisfied.

[Though, he had admittedly not been dissatisfied with their activities a few weeks back. He could still tease about it gamely.]

[manifesthope]

Alright! Let's go!

[After patting Blaze's arm in a comradely fashion, Silver grinned and jumped up into the air. With a flash of his cyan aura, he continued upwards and shot off in the direction his friend indicated. He knew she'd be able to keep up and wouldn't stray too far so that he wouldn't be able to hear her if she called for him. Besides, they had their ear pieces as back up in case they did stray too far apart.

In the meantime, he kept his eyes peeled for any signs of the red chocobo's presence. ]

[cactusy]

"Not really," she says bluntly, giving one of the wrapped presents a little shove with her combat boot. "And as big a fan of do-gooding as I am--"

Her voice is monotone, dry, and does not at all make her sound like she's a big fan of do-gooding. Ah, the perils of a chronically flat affect.

"-- I draw the line at running errands. Let me guess, you're a private school prefect?"

[aimsforknees]

[ John thinks of Root. What is her due? She'd maybe laugh at the idea, make some sly comment about it surely, but he doesn't think she'd believe in that. He thinks she'd just want people to live.

But this moment isn't about Root, it's about Carver's dead child. ]

You can honor Matthew here. There's time.

[cactusy]

Nope. Not unless you count mosquitos.

[fortitudosalutis]

I have to bury the others, [ he explains softly, not looking at John. ] Matthew had a grave. The others were just lying there, rotting.

[ He shakes himself again. ]

That's why I have to go back. To bury all of them.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ Dimitri’s eyes run over the other man’s face as he looks upon the birds, trying to get a read on him. Alas, all he can discern is some pain before it’s smoothed away.

From there Dimitri’s gaze drops to his hands and briefly all the things he’s trying to not think about burn through his head in a flash. But he doesn’t want to dwell on those things, not right now, not as he had been doing before he happened upon Dion.

So, with a small inhale to send his own memories off, Dimitri looks back to the chocobos. ]

Would you tell me about the birds? Since they seem to prevail across these parts I figure it would be wise to educate myself.

That is, if you do not mind.

[aimsforknees]

I'll help you prove your world's worth so you can go back to them.

[ This is what he and Harold talked about, helping people but also the worlds. He doesn't think that Carver necessarily wants to hear what he has to say, doesn't want John's personal help, but John can help with his world, help him get back. ]

[cactusy]

[Wow, Vander, says the look she shoots him, and she's just going to go ahead and speak that last bit out loud.]

I don't remember you complaining.

[cantilevers]

[He grinned and then threw an arm around her shoulders to pull her in up against him. The bird startled and snorted at him for his quick movement, but he offered another green quickly to try to convince it not to go too far.]

I'm smarter than to ever complain, and there was nothing to complain about. [He leaned in to try to steal a kiss to smooth things over further.]

[manifesthope]

[Silver grinned, quills and shoulders shaking slightly as he couldn't help but laugh as Henry struggled to put a name to what he was. He was not offended in the slightest. As one of the rarer non-humans here in Etraya, he was getting used to it.]

I'm a hedgehog! [He snickered (still trying to be on the quieter side to not startle the birds) at the idea of being a porcupine. Well it was a great effort in guessing what he was for someone who had never been to his world!] That was a great guess though! [His golden eyes held nothing but friendly humor as he leaned forward to run gloved fingers through the water.]

It's so beautiful here. [He murmured appreciatively.] The water is so fresh and clear.

[cantilevers]

[He nodded. He supposed he would have to keep better track of his own world's affairs more.]

Education. If people know it's out there, they may be less inclined to experiment with it if they're aware of the effects. Stopping the distribution needs to deny them customers.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ The safe distance she leaves between them is noted and the only move he makes is to shift his weight to the side. That way if she has want she can easily move past him towards the front entrance. ]

The pleasure is mine, lady Serra. My name is Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, crown prince of—

[ Cutting himself off mid sentence, Dimitri’s eyes blink away to the stained glass window behind her, then back to Inara. He smiles somewhat sheepishly, reminiscent of a school boy. ]

— well, I suppose that doesn’t really matter here, does it?

As for your inquiry: I’m afraid the answer is no. Not at all, I merely- [ he presses his lips together, eyes dropping to scan the floor briefly ] hm. Actually, I arrived less than a month ago.

[ It is likely clear to Inara that isn’t what Dimitri had originally intended on saying, although he hopes it isn’t.

Not that it’s anything bad he’s trying to cover up; he just doesn’t think it’ll sound quite as sane as he wants it to if he says “the monastery we are in is from my world, I don’t know how it got here, so please don’t ask, I promise I am sane.” ]

[cactusy]

[The fact that she's not actually offended definitely helps - and, honestly, so does the fact that he's smooth as fuck. Easy charm and genuine confidence are attractive, what can she say. She will also happily lean up for a little makeout session... until she feels an insistent pecking on her boot again, anyway.]

Dude.

[She says, pulling away to frown down at the bird.]

Cockblock.

[knightowl]

[ The queen's knight he moves next. He takes very little time to ponder the move and only keeps his eyes on the board long enough to make it. Then it's back on Crane, appraising him in the way only an elderly person can. So, basically, judgemental.]

It's been some time since I've played chess. You'll have to forgive any mistakes.

[leastdramatic]

Makes sense. Lines up with what I've learned from experience. One of the trickiest things about this is you always got someone who knows how to read people and manipulate their emotions.

[cantilevers]

[She did not appear to be easy to offend, which helped when he decided to be cheeky. Of course, he had the benefit of charms that he employed shamelessly when necessary, and he also was not above taking advantage of her willingness to kiss him back. What was a little make-out session between friends?

He blinked and pulled back when she pulled back, turning his head to regard the bird that he had reattracted back to them.]

Okay, okay, both of you don't need to fight over me. [He smirked and kissed her temple.] You gonna scare him off?

[sabigoe]

[ Despite how they barely stay on her face, she doesn't complain... she's quick to please. Especially since she hardly receives gifts. ]

Summers. You even have a cool name. Summer—that's when Mr. Sun is happiest, I think.

[ She giggles, easily amused. "Mr. Sun" she says, as if it's an actual person with feelings. Playing, of course. Or does it really have feelings? Who knows. But she might just call him "Summers" because it sounds nice to her.

At his question, she pauses and follows up with an eager nod. This won't be the first time she's had the luxury to freely pick from different options. She's had that opportunity recently back in Aphaia, with her points. But it is still kind of a new thing to her... it's exciting. ]

I wanna see what other sunglasses look like!

truly the most social thread ever

[theroadwarrior]

[... Ultimate Lifeform?

Christ.

Max stares at him for a moment -- and then proceeds to start hobbling away, because that's as ridiculous as the fact that you're a talking animal.

Goodbye.]

[theroadwarrior]

[He observes the gift from the past like it's a delicate antique from a museum, the kind only a curator is allowed to handle. He has very, very few things from his past remaining; his car has been remade over and over and is gone now, and his jacket is a frankenstein monster of different leathers and stitches. His body is all that really remains of his old life, and it's not much better off... Another kind of frankensteined thing, with scar tissue and pock marks in his hair.

(... But healthier looking; much healthier looking than the man she'd found her first day in Etraya. Fuller in his face. Cleaner. At ease, here in this apartment--?)

He hums in acknowledgement, looking a touch amused.]

... Seems unfair.

You skipped the threats with me.