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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wu--WAH-?!

[insults are a dime a dozen, but suddenly being jostled and yoinked up against their will?! Knife yelps in confusion, unable to much else in that short span it takes for them to find themselves very much somewhere else.

What in the actual flying fuck?! sure, guy! just...have a fly speed! don't telegraph that shit or anything! that's fine! fuck!

they land on their rump and tail with an unceremonious puff of air, having to fuss with the flap of their collar having slapped in their face in the midst of it all; it takes so much restraint to not start off immediately in a string of slurs and curses. that's a Knife thing to do, not an Antigone thing to do.

still, their displeasure is plain by the way their hair fluffs up, bristled like an incensed cat.]

Hey, what! What's the idea here, huh?!

[ he turns his head to look back at the other once the robots are completely out his sight. from what he's gathered so far, the other isn't used to sudden switch of situations, which makes them a liability. ]

None of your business.

[ unpleasant as always, the hedgehog walks to the edge of the roof preparing to jump down. there's no need to carry the kitsune down with him as they'll find their own route. ]

What do you want?

[ initially they had called out to him for some reason, the type of tone they had didn't sound like they were in danger so what do they want with him. patience is difficult for shadow when he has no reason to stay, but he'll give them a chance in case there's something to this interaction. ]

[it IS their business! they just got...zoomed! wooshed! against their will! what the fuck, man!

So it wasn't because I was tall...this guy's just a punk to everyone. duly noted.]

Y-you looked like you had your shhhh[shit--] shtuff together, so I was lookin' for some intel! Real intel, not the platitudes, you know?

[ then they were dropped and became unwanted immediately, there's no need to follow up with someone like shadow the hedgehog. their interest in him having his "shtuff together" doesn't do any favors. all it manages is sharpening his already ice cold glare as he watches the kitsune.

has this kitsune been watching him or...? ]

And for what reason should I show you anything?

[ they almost sound like rouge, she eats up intel, but she also feeds it. that bat always had information whether you wanted her to or not, but with how skittish this person comes off, shadow doubts they "have" and only "searches". like those annoying aliens from the last planet who wanted entertaining and would continuously bother them with their pointless questions. ]

I 'unno, [they dust off their clothes.] what reasons motivate you to do anything for anyone? I don't know you, so I'm not gonna just throw something out there and hope it sticks.

So you tell me, and I'll work with it.

Edited 2025-04-26 23:18 (UTC)

[ it's already a dead-end, but it sounds almost desperate. tell them what they should have to make shadow offer any intel? they're flexible to the situation, they'll work with it, but shadow never makes things easy. ]

I don't have time to mold you into what I'm looking for.

[ he'd rather not, so he'll return to what they said before. ]

What do you lack?

[ he has his stuff together as they said. ]

[ahhhhh...the restraint to not jump and rake at this guy's eyeballs for saying mold you. Knife should be congratulated. self-control! Soliton would be proud.

they just click their tongue, file it away, and move on.]

Solid confirmation about what passes for law enforcement in these parts. [they jut a thumb over their shoulder.] Maybe it's just me, but cities where I'm from aren't this...barren at this scale. And being so open doesn't mean it's lacking in grunts.

You know what I mean?

Hm.

[ shadow pauses, his eyes glance back down to the alleyway they had left from before returning his gaze to this... company of his. ]

Aurora.

[ he answers, of course this place is barren, all it is that lives on this planet happens to be them and a squad of bots, as well as some strange birds which even local etrayans are surprised by. ]

This "Echo" they speak of. Whatever they're capable of must be enough to control this city. [ the hedgehog turns around with their arms crossed, perhaps this kitsune has a brain after all. it's enough to keep him in place since it appears they have the same questions. ] To see the full extent of their power, someone would have to act out.

[ but the locals, the ones who have lived here the longest, shadow believes they would put a stop to it. hell, they may be the law enforcement. ]

Nobody's gotten around to testing that? [the implication unspoken being: even you, hotshot?

they hesitate, thinking better of offering that they themself already tried slicing and dicing up Miss Aurora. it was futile, so why dwell on it?]

It takes time and planning, you have to learn your enemy.

[ the hedgehog looks to them as if this is the obvious answer. without information, how does one attack? sure, a person could go in blind, but this takes more than a day, and shadow hasn't been here long. ]

But there are fools here who trust them.

[ even in his tone, it's questioning if the other is one of the many fools here. ] That's why most don't.

You seen any consequences to not playing ball yet? [because Knife isn't opposed to testing the water, but if someone else is gonna up and do it first, hey--]

What's stopping you?

[ it almost sounds like they're interested in taking the jump and seeing where it gets them. as for shadow, there's no threat nor has he finished acquiring the information that he needs. ]

If you'd like to try, go ahead.

[ as for this hedgehog, there doesn't seem to be anything to gain at the start. besides, he's only just arrived. ]

[flatly:] Not wanting to explode. [they flap an arm.] Nobody says people explode here, but nobody's said people don't explode! I don't wanna be someone's workdog, but I don't also wanna get got, either!

You don't just stick your arm in a dark, mysterious hole in the ground and not expect to get all bit up by scorpions or spiders, right? [that's a normal thing to experience to learn the weight of consequences outdoors, right?]

...

[ from that comment, the hedgehog looks towards them with disinterest. not as though they did anything wrong, but aren't they throwing their lot by engaging with shadow.

basically sticking their arm in a dark, mysterious hole and bit in some ways, more than one? ]

That didn't seem to be an issue when you decided to interact with me. What's the difference?

[ what made them confident? ]

I can talk to you, yeah? Can't talk to a buncha dirt animals. [shrugs emphatically. it makes sense to them!]

Also, hey, can we...back up a second here? What prompted the... [gesture.] Woosh really fast up here? I didn't feel anyone tailing. Did you?

...

[ shadow sighs, turning away again at their questions, what an annoying creature. ]

Because those robots, aside from us, are around to help. The less information they have, the better.

[ and they are what went down that path not too long ago. maybe they have certain routes they go down, or maybe that's just in their system, but they're probably information bots to help newcomers acclimate into the world.

as for the extra mouth with him... ]

Local?

[ now he's asking the questions. ]

[what the hell is a robot.

...whatever. surely it'll get sorted. more important thing.

sigh.]

No way. [they risk the few steps to get close to the edge Shadow's standing at.] This ghost town's got nothing to do with me. And if Miss Lead Ghost [Aurora] thinks she can squeeze some use out of me without some consequence, I'll be happy to disappoint.

[beat.]

This place is too open and too easy to rig up with traps.

Hmph.

[ and what is that supposed to mean, are they going to be placing the traps or do they believe there are more that they aren't seeing. so far, it seems like a place people live to create their own happiness with the looming threat of their own world to be sacrificed.

thinking it over, the hedgehog wastes no time, jumping over to the next roof with ease, the distance between him and the kitsune a wide berth. ]

And what is your plan?

[ what path have they taken. ]

[boy, if Knife had a nickel for each time a black-and-red gremlin-dog-cat-thing hmphed at them...

they grimace, eyeing the distance between this roof and that. if they pulled boots on and used longstrider, it'd be easy as pie, but Pending's already used the boots once in this guy's presence.

sigh.

while climbing onto the edge, tail and arms out for balance:] Can't plan much without info, so--

[they squat, deliberating, clutching the lip of the concrete, and then commit to launching themself over and catching the other roof at the middle with a puff of air, scrabbling to hold on.]

Ss, so, y'know--guh-- [help? maybe? no? okay. fuckin'...whatever!! they get their elbows up and hoist themself up, doing a little somersault onto their back and lay there to catch their breath.]

So I gotta...figure stuff out. From, from multiple angles.

Can't...take any one source at face value. That's dumb.

[ someone is going to have sooooo many nickles, it'll be amazing. ]

Information comes at a price. Keep up and you may be rewarded, falter and you'll be left behind.

[ that's as much help as shadow can give, hence why the gap is something that must be crossed.

watching them throw themselves over to catch the edge, the hedgehog assess their form, grading it low, but they did manage.

that's like half a point.

they sound smart to some degree, don't take everything at face value, and even shadow is trying to decipher what's safe and what's a threat. ]

Name.

[ ...

there are various people shadow has met, some locals, other new to this, and that's why connections are good to have on who's willing to work.

this one? maybe. ]

[boy, if Knife knew what a fortune cookie was...]

Eh? [they sit up, rubbing at their sore elbows.] Oh, uh--

[...]

Antigone.

[Sorry, Antigone. This'll only be a problem if you, like...fuckin' show up here, I guess.]

Who're you?

[ he wouldn't like them.

fragile. check. probably can't withstand heavy damages, useless meat-shield. ]

Shadow the Hedgehog.

[ ...

don't ask if "the hedgehog" is a last name. ]

Stand.

["the hedgehog" is probably a title, Knife figures. like "the accountant." or "the bartender."

they dunno what hedging hogs does for a society, but they don't know a lot, so they'll just decide to pay it no mind.

grumpily:] One-word orders your favorite thing? Sheesh. I was gettin' up anyway! [don't tell me what to do! they say, doing what was asked.]

[ that's crazy, maybe, but that's his name. they will come to learn that this is an important part of a name when they meet shadow#2.

he's more so the type of hog that doesn't want anyone following him around, but this ... creature is doing just that. shadow has no reason to run from it, so they ignore the unneeded commentary to speak on something else. ]

Where have you been so far?

[ a simple question that isn't a command (but he is commanding them to say where). ]

Let's see...

["Antigone" rolls up on the tip-top of their little feet and peers around, looking for sign of the hospital.

they point at that, then trace the way as they recite:] Following the water around...along there...through couple of those buildings...down to where you yoinked me...

[maybe two, three miles? nothing substantial; they've only just gotten here. they're 0 days old.]

I was gonna go that way? But there's giant freakin' animals around.

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