etrayalogs | 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

Blaze raises a brow at that, but doesn't seem to think it worth commenting on. Instead, she just offers a very doubtful sounding:

"Very well... Pending."

But she can't exactly argue with him about his own name, so instead she only sighs.

"It is good to see that you've made it back safely. I take it you're making yourself comfortable?"

You know, judging by the whole pillowcases full of random junk situation.

Knife opens their mouth to prompt a return name, but closes it in the midst of her observation about all the stuff.

They blink, then glance down at it, then back at her.

"I don't know what it's all for," the admit flatly. "Just...figured it was something to do."

And, before she can get the jump on any other questions: "Who are you?"

She probably introduced herself before, but if she had? He forgot. Lots going on, many beatings taken, busy days. It be that way sometimes.

"Blaze the Cat, princess of the Sol Empire."

She doesn't mind providing her name and station, and admittedly probably should have before, but she'll offer a hand for him to shake if he so wishes. Or has the free hands to do so with.

"I suppose I can't judge you for being prepared."

You never know what might happen.

Oh, fucking yeehaw, royalty. Knife has mastery over their expression, thankfully, so no eyes will roll on this day.

Instead, they awkwardly bend at the waist, trying to remember if it's a handshake or a finger squeeze or a fist-to-their-chest-salute thing or whatever.

They'll settle on just awkwardly hovering their hand near hers in a similar gesture, utterly uncommitted to touching her. They straighten up slowly, letting the hand drop.

It's not you, Blaze; it's them.

"It could disappear," they offer in the equivalent of a shrug. "Like the other place. So."

The expression is natural, and the answer is nothing she disagrees with, but it's the lack of reciprocation to her handshake that causes Blaze to give him a bit of a funny look. Withdrawing her hand when he does, she seems to consider his comment for a moment.

"Then, would you like some help in gathering it? Tell me what you know of what you've found so far, and we will fill the gaps."

As poor as this individual's manners seem to be, Blaze is starting to get used to that feeling around here. There's no reason she can't lend a hand.

It may also help her with filling the gaps in her own knowledge of this place, if she has a task to guide her.

"Oh, uh...sure."

None of this shit has struck Knife as supremely valuable yet, so there's no itchy, crunchy possessiveness to any of it. Yet.

"Here's what I got so far."

They unceremoniously dump the contents of one pillowcase out at her feet: plastic cutlery, first aid kids, another defibrillator, a bottle of some medical solution of some sort, another pillowcase bundled really small into a ball...

Oh, okay. Just dump it all out on her feet, sure. It seems clear enough that he doesn't particularly care for the things he's collecting.

"I see..."

And it seems just as clear that Blaze is no more impressed than he is. All the same, she'll crouch down and begin examining the items, moving some out of the way so that she can get a better idea of what she's looking at.

"Are you asking my opinion? I'm afraid that I'm unsure what some of these items are..."

Man her world is not this caught up.

Knife grunts, squatting to scoot one of the aluminum kits their way and pop it open.

"Me neither, but...I guess anyone can have it. None of it was guarded." Or guarded well, anyway.

They find the presence of twine and needles very appealing - less for stitching wounds and more for refashioning some fabric; wouldn't do to for a half-orc to be dressed in the same coat as a human or a kitsune or whatever, right?

"No magic traps, either. That I can tell."

"This is medical supplies, it is meant for anyone who needs it. And you should hope that nobody does need it, if you are collecting this much."

Is he leaving some behind for the rest of them? That's more her concern right now than exactly what he has, but she's sure she's got a pretty good idea of what's going on in this stash for right now. She'll pull herself up to her impressive three foot tall height for the moment.

Then she takes a look around, arms crossed.

"First of all, discard that plastic cutlery. Surely you can retrieve something better if you're patient. Next, you've overlooked toiletries. You should look for toothbrushes, paste, and soaps as well."

Things she imagines should be here, at least, unless he wants to stink.

Their brow knits.

"Tooth brush? Made of whose teeth?"

I'm so sorry Blaze.

"..."

She pauses, but as much as she'd like to have a little giggle at this, it would be unseemly for a princess to laugh at someone for their ignorance. Instead, she wears a bit of a smile, shaking her head.

"A brush for your teeth, rather. Do you not clean them?"

... Ew.

"Swish water and sharp liquor," they reply matter-of-factly. "That don't do it for you?"

Does that do it for anyone?!

"Or just a quill tip to pick..." It ain't that serious.

Blaze opens her mouth momentarily, before thinking twice and closing her mouth. She pinches the bridge of her nose between two fingers.

"Then I'm sure you are sorely in need of one, and I believe I know where to find them if you'll come with me."

"Uh, sure." Like they'll refuse free stuff. Though...it is weird-feeling to have said stuff foisted upon them, rather than them just outright gnabbing it. Charity is rare, seldom trusted, and often laden with terms and conditions.

They use their long arms to sweep junk (plastic cutlery included) into a manageable pile they can stuff back into a pillowcase, slinging it over their shoulder as they stand back up, ready to follow like the odd, ugly duckling they are in the moment.

APRIL MINGLE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject