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

[ the black hedgehog only stands there quiet, looking up at this looming creature without a word. the glare in his eyes should be enough to say he doesn't care, and that he understands that the other is the cause of this mess. ]

No.

[ shadow corrects, continuing with what makes sense to him, and realizing that this person is making things difficult for himself in the long run. ]

I said get out of the way.

[ that should encourage the other to feel free with opening the package, even if it does belong to shadow, it's nothing that he would never want.

tick-tock. ]

Yeah, I heard ya. [but Knife feels disinclined by that rudeness! huh. that must be what mister frozen fancypants was on about back in Aphasia...

...like hell he's gonna chide someone for not saying "please"! pah! no, they'll just be a brat in kind.

they continue ignoring the angry dog and pull open the box, shaking its contents out with little care.

the Photo(tm) flutters down before they can catch it.]

[ nothing comes out of the box, not yet anyway until a thin this of paper he thinks at first flutters down. it doesn't garner a reaction from shadow, only that this person is in the way, and the hedgehog is close to pushing them out of it. the moment he reaches to grab them, he stops only a few inches away from doing so as the photograph settles right against his air shoes.

the photograph shows a familiar, annoying face, one that shadow finds himself clicking his tongue at the sight only to raise his attention back to the person in his way. even in the picture, despite shadow being there, he seems to show no other sort of feeling towards the imagery.

that was the past, a shot that he didn't even want to take, but that idiot insisted with that stupid laugh of his... "c'mon shadow! it'll be like a national treasure, the president will have the only one!" and here he thought it was swept up in the carnage of when he almost led the world to its doom.

for a brief moment, he thinks of ignoring it, but shadow lean forward to pick it up. however, it's with one hand that he touches the half-orc, and the other will feel an immense for push them to the side into a nice pile of gifts. ]

I don't have time for games. Do not do it again.

[faint contact even without a pulse of force is enough for Knife's instincts to kick in, dodging uncannily from the hand in motion before more than their skin can prickle from the proximity. they were an obstacle in one heartbeat, then leaning against the doorway in the next, just shy of reach.]

Ain't playin' shit, do whatever.

Hm. You can do as told.

[ as long as he moves out the way, that's what matters. shadow's glare remains, wherever the other goes. for a hedgehog, he doesn't have the best attitude, truly a shame considering even the photograph in his hand doesn't do much to help. it's just a distant reminder of what his hate can do.

the variety of gifts opened, and the boxes all over the place. it's a mess, and even as shadow proceeds to go down the path towards the hospital.

a chocobo walks out, in beak are about two more presents, when it drops them down onto the ground a large bomb of smoke scatters in the surrounding area. whether it burns their eyes are not, they'll hear the sound of more than one set of footsteps. almost like they're surrounded, but... by what. ]

What the-- [fuck?!

Knife pushes off the frame and onto the balls of their feet, ready to click a heel and longstride themself the fuck out of here if need be. they pull a length of collar up to their nose to buffer smoke with one hand while the other goes in their coat for a blade.

no more loud expletives, they need to hear what's going on when vision is lacking. fight or flee? what's the play here? (and since when are giant chickens in on assassination attempts?!)]

[ do not begin to piss him off, birds.

but they do, it's been a plan in the making for some time now, these birds will take the spread of gifts as well as the hospital for themselves. these two creatures that are in the way shall be removed, so as the smoke clears, they'll see what has them at all sides.

it's about fifty chocobos or more, all different colors, some skittish, others kicking their feet as though they're willing to ram into them. the red one isn't here at all, so this might not be their doing, but these chocobos? they want a home, they need it, and they will remove those who stand in their way.

shadow's expression goes from irritated to completely uninterested. it's in a flash that he disappears, and reappears next to the chocobo that had the bomb, and kicks it right in the direction of knife.

...watch out!!! heavy bird on the way!! ]

D'AH-!!

[Knife windmills their arms before skidding a heel so they drop into a half-split, one knee drawn up near to their chin as the bird sails over.

Giant chickens?! literally what. why. this their house or something? how would Knife know!! fuck!

still stuck in pose:] Uh...do...y'all speak Common?

[no?

eh.

worth a shot.

FUCK.

they jump up in time to vault the long neck of one trying to lunge and peck them in the eye.]

What a pathetic place.

[ quickly, the hedgehog dashes forward, zipping past about five that are trying to pounce him next. they miss, knocking into each other, and instead start to argue among themselves.

another set trot over to knife, pecking at their clothes to try and take anything worth interest. got anything that's a pretty color? some nice clothes? oh, if there's a left shoe... these chocobos love that!

as for shadow? he's dodging them with ease until he glances at the other being attacked with him. ]

Handle them.

[ get to work!!!!!!!! ]

You handle them! I don't even know what-- [duck.] --they are!

[they grimace, their natural weave not accounting for this extra foot or so of height they're wearing, which means they enjoy a bonk to the temple as they move.

they do a double-take in the midst of pushing another beak away from their face.]

HEY! [their voice pitches a bit deeper in register, throwing toward a cluster trying to pilfer through his pile. it's jarring enough to startle them, at least.] Get outta my STUFF!

[they stole it first!!!!!]

Carry your own weight.

[ because the hedgehog has had enough of this, jumping up, the bottom of his shoes activate, and fire exhausts from beneath, giving him the ability to fly in the air. this probably doesn't keep the chocobos at bay, some of them looking around, and if knife isn't careful, they're going to find one chocobo is going to start flapping their wings and pick them up to go into the air too.

please don't be afraid of heights.

this act saved them from being pickpocketed by those evil chocobos on land, but this only means that the chocobo that has knife is stealing them... for their own personal gain.

and shadow... just simply watches.... ]

[for the love of--

okay. okayokayokay what shit did Knife designate okay to be Pending about again? the boots (not useful, currently stuck on a bird, not the ground)...some knives (stab chicken is an option), the bell (if chickens even have a concept of mortality to be stricken by)...

this is not a good time to be trying to review this.

fuck it. Bane them.

there's a palpable shudder in the air - a sense of wrongness that settles keenly upon the feathered shoulders of several of the critters clustered within Knife's sight, and they all consequently fail to react in any such way to deter Knife back on their way to their sacks of shit - nor do they successfully dodge being swatted by said sacks when Knife swings them at them to clear a path for themself.]

Get! [thwack.] Out! [smack.] Of my! [thwump.] Way! [fwack.] God-- [thunk.] dammit!!

[ the hedgehog hovers out of the way of the birds, having an easier time compared to the other who was taking gifts through greed. it's because of that greed that these chocobo attacked, but what does an animal like shadow know? what he does see is the ability produced before him, and how the world around him seems off.

seems like the other handled them as told. ]

Hmph. You do listen.

[ shadow notes, watching as the other makes their way through with ease to their sacks of shit, and this means if any chocobo has taken their things, at least they can get it back.

the birds do fail to retaliate, some down on the ground trying to recover, and others might've flocked to higher ground after that display. round two, all they need is the two not to be on gaurd.

he remains airborne, ears twitching to one side as he notes the small batch of chocobo coming from one side through a few buildings close by. brows furrow in annoyance, and pending will see the hedgehog is going towards the hospital instead of going back out. ]

[honestly? going back indoors seems to be the play; like hell is Knife gonna let themself get chased around by a nutty flock of turkeys bent on ganking all their shit, useful or otherwise.

with great prejudice, Knife bullies their way through residual throngs of birds, yanking at feathers along the way (because why not? they earned some plumes) before jumping through the threshold of the hospital and shoving the doors closed behind them with a heaved breath.

exasperated, letting some of their normal candor slip:] What the fuck is wrong with this place...

...

[ should have expected that the other would follow along, but it's the smartest move to make by all means. especially as shadow glances out the window seeing how the chocobos begin to grow in packs, some tending to the wounded, others trying to figure out how to open a door by pecking on it.

they have not earned these skills. ]

...

[ but the gifts, whatever knife, well "pending" had left out there is what they're also interested in. digging in boxes, throwing them to the side if empty, wearing it on their heads like hats.

it's a mess. ]

Did you open all of those?

No.

[once they've straightened up and dusted off, they lean and look over their shoulder out the window, almost mournful as they watch the box carnage.]

There's a few I missed. Didn't realize they were rigged.

[they look back down at Shadow.]

Is this normal?

Hmph.

[ rigged is quite the word, the hedgehog watches the chocobos outside mess with each box.

sometimes they sniff the boxes, then they look back towards the gate. not unfamiliar to him in the way they react, figuring that it may just be they like what they smell. ]

They're looking for you.

[ only thing that makes sense. ]

[tuh.] Or you. [why's it gotta be them, huh?

never fucking mind that one of those boxes probably has the funny, ambrosial greens those chickens are bananas about - Knife doesn't know shit about it!

they rummage through a pillow case for one of the box lids that didn't get lost in all the clobbering, squinting at it while feeling themself around various pockets for...

...wait...]

...Shit.

[Where's my goddamn planchette?! they try a few more pockets (there are so many. just so many) before exhaling in exasperation and frowning back at Shadow.]

You know divination or no?

No.

[ he does know someone who dabbles in that art, but it's not as though it's something he believes in. rose would be thrilled at the prospect of pulling out her cards and showing this person something, but unfortunately, rose isn't here, and shadow won't hand out names of acquaintances.

that places a target on their back.

however, watching the other pat at their clothes in search of something, the hedgehog exhales with a tired sigh figuring what it is.

did they lose something out there... to the chocobo war? ]

What is it?

[ does he even want to know? has nothing to do with shadow, but maybe the other will go back out and the chocobos will be satisfied with their prey. maybe not because they're here for two (2) prey. ]

Magic shit. [they turn the box lid over and squint at it.] To check for curses or traps.

[because that's what it feels like to them - some kind of hex. and that planchette would let them see it!

they huff, chucking the useless lid away, grabbing up their junk, and pick a hall, hesitating.

...there's weird constructs in this building, ghost-lady aside. Knife grimaces.

fuck it. it's either these or the crazed chickens! onward.]

Hmph. Pathetic, there's no need for that.

[ because all they would have to do is ensure they're not harmed when the trap strikes, but it's the hospital, it's the safest place all because it's a starter zone for everyone. it must have some reason for being a... safe haven. ]

Stay on the first floor and nothing will happen.

[ the companion bots or whatever they're called are around on halls, but shadow remains by the window waiting to see what the plan of the chocobos may be.

he's seen war, formation, it stands out in ways that he could probably guess from a strategic standpoint. ]

[squint.]

What, you run the place or something? [or this guy just talkin' confident?

...or are those his birds out there.]

[ shadow stares at him tiredly, unamused by his comment because let's be real, he doubts that pending would be able to make it through the second floor without worrying a bird is after them. ]

No. You'll bother everyone with your nonsense.

[ so stay on the first floor where there's nobody to bother aside from shadow. ]

Everyone? [they scoff.] How many could that be?

The building's full of not-people, outside's full of chickens...What people?

Are you not classified as part of "people" unless you're an idiot.

[ why they in here then... there's people that come inside!! ]

Making others aware of your problems will have a bleeding heart that says you don't understand the ones outside.

[ and what will that lead to? them letting the birds inside, but the robots could also become those bleeding hearts. ]

Do not make trouble for me.

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