etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayalogs2025-04-25 12:17 pm

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

shadowsincryo: (Alone)

[personal profile] shadowsincryo 2025-05-12 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
It feels like a sculpture more than a city. [He says as he keeps pace with Knife. He gestures to the world around them.]

If it was broken up it would be ruins a researcher would love to look over.
Edited 2025-05-12 16:58 (UTC)
rudelanguage: (pic#17713223)

[personal profile] rudelanguage 2025-05-12 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Let 'em have it. I'd rather be elsewhere. [or here...but with Soliton. not alone!

they tilt their head so they can see what's past their tower of too much food, ambling along in a way to accommodate the slight sway of the boxes. it doesn't seem to be too much trouble (dexterity 15 (8+7)).]


If it's a mission, why's there no training? Seems like a lie.
shadowsincryo: (pic#15176056)

[personal profile] shadowsincryo 2025-05-12 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Exactly why she did it, I think. She wants us to be happy despite the circumstances.

[He studies the tree. Hm. He nods to himself and leaps up, he catches the branch and swings up into the tree. It looks effortless.

After years of doing environmental surveys and checking all manner of spaces. It should be. He ghosts along the branches towards the gift.]
But I still would rather have more information about worlds dying.

We need to know everything we can.
cactusy: (a little stabbing)

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-05-12 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Shaw, dry and deadpan as she is, definitely isn't humorless. She's also intimately familiar with how flirting works - after all, it's one of the only social dances that she has any patience at all for (... well, as long as the timing doesn't suck, anyway). So she plays along, crossing her arms over her chest and affecting a thoroughly unimpressed look as she stares down at the bird.]

Back off, buddy; I saw him first.
laserguy: (look i know i'm an ass)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-05-12 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Apparently they're just deciding on which world survives or not. Doesn't matter if it's 'worse off' or not.

[Because the multiverse is too big?? How is that even possible? Well, guess there are like hundreds of parallel universes at least, but they're all still separate from each other, right? Or. Something. He doesn't know, but he doesn't like it either way. Thinking that some planets won't make it.

All those aliens on Alphaia... are they really just going to die? Even that asshole guy that chased him around? He didn't want that.

Scott continues to frown, clearly bothered by all this.]


But it's all bullshit to me. Deciding which planet survives. If they're even going to go through with their promise on saving ours.
laserguy: (look i know i'm an ass)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-05-12 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, yeah...

[Though he doesn't argue too much otherwise. With that same uncomfortable feeling, he watches as the box starts to sink down into the water and putting an end to whatever significance it may hold to the hedgehog. It's not hard to put together that something happened to its owner; it would honestly explain a lot. Scott lingers a little longer by the lake before he hurries back to catch up with Shadow.

At least Shadow hasn't fully ran, he's well-aware of how fast he can move and thus disappear from all this.]


What if I just want to hang out around here? Just sit around and do nothing but eat chips? [Don't have to talk about depressing shit--] You should join me.
laserguy: (yeah sure man)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-05-12 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Cool.

[What even is the Northern Base?? Something military?? Maybe he's the son of an officer. Scott slots the information in the back of his mind for now, more focused on their friend they're currently making. So, Feathers it is, because obviously there would be no complaints. He's so good at naming things. Duh.

He takes a few steps closer to them, which only causes Feathers to make a small 'wark' before shifting its head slightly to press its beak back against Scott's face. Oof. He rolls his eyes, trying to shove Feathers away just a bit, but the chocobo is being a little persistent with him again. And. Guess he has to accept his fate...]


I'm Scott, by the way. Since we're giving out names right now.
laserguy: (big ol' visor)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-05-12 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[With his own supply of greens dwindling before fully being consumed, Scott can't help but pout just a little as the chocobos suddenly lose interest in him. No food, no reason to stay!! They trot back to the join the others back in their original spot, the teen watching them for a moment with that same put out expression. Man, they're really fickle creatures, huh?

But oh, the other guy's back, and he's holding the secured prize up for Scott to see. Right, the thing they were going for this entire time. He hasn't forgotten at all.]


Cool. Mission success. [High five!! Scott will raise a hand to Dion, as if expecting the older man to get what he's trying to do. He might have temporarily forgotten about him being from a fantasy era...]
fireboost: (pic#17773396)

[personal profile] fireboost 2025-05-12 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ as she expected—it isn't her preferred option either, only used as a last resort to contain the red bird. these ones though, are perfectly tame, and she sees no need to push the matter. ]

Very well. Goodbye for now, Shadow.

[ blaze nods, allowing a moment before she turns to leave. ]
fireboost: (pic#17773402)

[personal profile] fireboost 2025-05-12 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ blaze raises a brow. ]

"Forced"?

[ a child, no less? care to explain, shadow? you knew she wasn't going to let that slide. ]
hyphanated: (foot)

[personal profile] hyphanated 2025-05-12 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Being surrounded by this warm, glowing aura is a rather strange sensation; An Zhe can't help but wonder if the aurora would feel like that, if he could touch it.

He nods, slowly standing up, but can't help closing his eyes as he takes that first step off the branch—hopefully in time to dodge the one chocobo that decided to try grabbing at the back of his shirt.]
strumpet: (pic#17736824)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-05-12 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh of course, I imagine we'll be forced to fight again eventually. I can assure you I'm quite skillful in fighting-

( while her senses seemed to be telling her this person was most likely just worried for her, she turned to them and offered a soft and reassuring smile before plucking at a few garments on the rack. )

Enough to save my own hide without issue. So don't worry, but the body and mind need a break from being on alert you know?

So it's quite alright to fill the time with other endeavors so that when we do have to go to missions, our minds and senses are sharp.

( if there was any inclination of inara's spirituality, it would be in those words. the balance of mind, body, and soul was very important to her- not just because of her line of work. )
Edited 2025-05-12 21:37 (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17736817)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-05-12 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
( whatever reaction he was trying to pull from her with such words, all he'll get is a gentle tap of his shoulder with her hand and bright little laugh, swaying away the heaviness of his words. she took it in a more positive light—

opting instead to keep things on a more positive ground between the two. )


I suppose I am, but no need to be such a dramatic diva about it. I've been enjoying your company just fine but—

( he did bring up an interesting point. how was she a prisoner exactly? she wasn't quite sure, but with a more jovial tone, she responded. )

Is that what you feel? Didn't realize you cared so much what someone like me thought about someone like you. I feel you're very intelligent if I'm being honest...

( and slowly, almost seductively, she walked closer to him and looked up at him, her big doe eyes trying to pull his gaze from the ground. )

And you probably look down on people like me, lying about your name with ease. You probably analyze everyone you come in contact with and form your own little world of opinions about them. Despite that....I think we could be friends.
ingestion: (pic#17598549)

[personal profile] ingestion 2025-05-12 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh that's good.

( well one less person for her to worry about. it seemed he had things squared away and was on the right path to establishing himself here. though the very notion of doing such a thing did leave heather conflicted—

on the one hand, she had made so many friends here and connections but people came and went with ease it seemed. it was difficult to truly be connected to anyone when their departure could happen at anytime yet....

at his next statement she perked up a bit. )


You said it, I was actually telling a friend of mine that. His name is Henry, he's the guy without a door on his apartment. Told him to pick up a plant, a hobby, it's good for his person. Maybe you should talk to him, get him to spruce up his place too.

( oops, did she just share too much information? oh well. )
ingestion: (pic#17598678)

[personal profile] ingestion 2025-05-12 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
A formal complaint about Vincent?

( whatever anger and annoyance heather was feeling over claudia was put on pause—

this was a bit more interesting. )


Oh so you finally ran into him huh? What's the complaint about anyways?
rudelanguage: (Default)

[personal profile] rudelanguage 2025-05-12 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Knife walks around one of the counters, listening while considering the patterns on display, picking at one of the scarves; it's taking so much restraint to not just...stuff all of this in a bag and ferret it away.

they are absolutely not leaving this kiosk without a bag. or two.]


So this is...consolation? For the abduction.

Treats for the war horses.
strumpet: (pic#17736818)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-05-12 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I should have looked there first.

( she smiled a bit at the other before her question made her laugh just a bit. given she had been so focused on that particular gift on the lake, maybe it did seem like she was just doing this out of boredom.

the answer was far more simple— )


No, I'm quite new to this world and I was curious to see if there was anything of value in the gifts such as a gun. A girl should always be carrying, wouldn't you agree?
ingestion: (pic#17598852)

[personal profile] ingestion 2025-05-12 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
( it took heather a moment to realize just exactly what maria had been implying with her joke there, but soon enough after having such a serious expression her—

she completely lost it, bending over a bit to laugh to the point where tears were almost pricking at her eyes. all the stress she had felt over her situation and claudia truly had her in a chokehold but now? she could laugh over how ridiculous the entire situation was. two girls just trying to use a bird to score a present. how silly. )


Aren't you worried it'll bite your boob?

( but despite her own joke and endless laughter, she was already moving around to try and stand on the bird. )

Come on, let's give it a try.
strumpet: (pic#17736812)

[personal profile] strumpet 2025-05-12 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
( the warmth of maria's hand still seemed to radiate against inara, long after they had finished up their proper greetings and were well onto sharing their names. although she had been intrigued by the gift, she supposed there would be many others she could find and stumble upon. for now a better opportunity seemed to be at hand—

the chance to make an ally, a friend, because despite how kind inara could be she always had to look out for herself. it was a burden that came with being a woman in her line of work, and being here alone meant she had to find ways to protect and establish herself. even if she wasn't going to be working as a companion for the time being. )


That sounds like a great suggestion, I only wish we had someone to partake in while we talk. That's alright though, here come sit.

( and quickly she turned towards the rock she had been sitting on, walking towards it. )

How long have you been here? In Etraya?
ingestion: (pic#17598697)

[personal profile] ingestion 2025-05-12 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucky you.

( although her tone of voice was a bit more sassy than intended, she genuinely was happy he was one of the few who woke up in the hospital to something more peaceful like giant birds walking about. )

Yeah but can I be honest?

( and really this was meant to comfort him more than to scare him, but she wanted to make sure he knew what he was up for. )

Whatever is being used to assess and determine our world is worth being saved is hard to pinpoint. We've had questionable people here over the months do questionable things that would end up with a prison sentence and when I asked Aurora about it well....I guess it doesn't really matter.

So I'm not sure what qualifies as good or bad here, so don't get too worried about it? I mean I'm not. I'm just doing the best that I can regardless.
ingestion: (pic#17598647)

[personal profile] ingestion 2025-05-12 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Three days huh? Well no wonder you seem kinda out of it.

( although she can't criticize too harshly given her age— staring into the mirror, obsessing over appearances was truly a teenage habit after all. unless they were scrutinizing the meats in the glass counter which she was sure wasn't the case. everything was fresh and clean! she made sure to nag maria about keeping things professional after all. )

No worries, though people are sent home randomly all the time. Wouldn't hurt to venture out before you....

( well she didn't want to raise their hopes up but also given the fact that no one sent home remembered their time here, it didn't really matter. for now she focused on finishing up those sandwiches, even going as far as to cut up and slice up a pickle for them. )

Well anyways, sandwich is ready. Wanna go up into my office to eat it? I have chairs.
sabigoe: (⚙ 10)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-05-12 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
...Is this okay?

[ As instructed, Fio takes the greens in her palms, stands. Arms out straight, to hold the vegetable further away from her body. Shifting on her heel, to face towards the chocobos. She looks a little nervous, even if she's been face to face with much bigger creatures. ]

Here, Greenie, Greenie. Brownie, Brownie...

[ Yes, she has decided "Greenie" and "Brownie" will be the names of these birds. Which one's Brownie? It could be any of them. Or all of them? She will worry about that later! ]
rudelanguage: (pic#17730078)

[personal profile] rudelanguage 2025-05-12 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Pending cocks an eyebrow at that half-finished notion. before they what? die? leave? explode?

they follow along the food-prep, lifting a hand, about to reach over the counter when food is ready when the suggestion of an office halts them.

they blink.]


...Office? Why? [that sounds suspiciously like locking them in a room or something. what's going on here?]
sabigoe: (⚙ 15)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-05-12 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Now Accelerator is stringing together even more complicated words and sentences that she doesn't understand. There's already a lot of information jam packed in there in a few sentences that she doesn't know which word to focus on first.

Earth. Earth's moon. The sun and stars. She's aware that they're in the sky, far apart from each other. That much she knows, knowing very little about actual facts. Like "space"—she only just learned about that word from the picture books she's found. A fairy tale won't teach her much though. Some of her companions from her journey through the Cage would know better. Or the administrator, who once observed the memories of humanity. Though she was supposed to join the latter, she found herself called upon by Echo instead. Too little time for any chit chat.

It's a newfound interest for her, ever since learning of the Cage's location. Etraya has a moon too—she wonders if there's anything up there in the same way that her Earth does.

She shelves away one final book, while listening to Accelerator speak. ]


...

Um... I didn't understand a lot of what you said. I just understand that it's really hard... [ A small, embarrassed smile. ] Has anyone ever tried going up that high?
limiterrings: (pic#17684734)

i think they connected but thats just me

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-05-12 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ when you walk away, you don't hear me say...

pllleeaaase max, we'll meet again. ]