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 gift thing has been annoying, ever since finding his own, it's as if he's been chosen to find others. he hates it, he wants nothing to do with anyone else's belongings. it's an unlucky streak so far.

when another box falls in his lap (the chocobo hidden within the tree pulls back its head into the foliage to hide its presence), this drags a sigh from shadow. not again, but he knows better than to see the contents. all it does is cause problems and misfortune knowing who exactly it belongs to, every run-in hasn't been pleasant. however, shadow involving himself with anyone at all is never pleasant.

upon picking it up, the hedgehog wastes no time, as long as he tosses it away from him then he has no reason to be involved. making his way to one side of a very tall bush, shadow sticks his hand through, tossing the gift on the other side not knowing that someone is there.

doesn't matter, he's getting rid of it. ]

[ Thunk. ]

Owie!

[ Yelps a very familiar voice.

The box pelts Fio on the forehead, a sudden interruption while she's in the middle of trying to pluck another wildflower. It doesn't actually hurt, but it definitely gave her a start. She picks up the box, examining it in confusion. Even with all the gift boxes lying around, she hasn't expected any of them to actually belong to her, despite what the name tag says.

The bush is far too tall for her to identify who may have thrown the box. All she knows is that there must be someone there. ]

Excuse me! Um... Mister? Miss? I think this is yours!

[ ...The gift pops back out through the bush to the other side. ]

[ ...

a grimace.

what is she doing here? what makes it worse is that he said he wouldn't be in this place either once the precious world decayed. he doesn't react anymore than he should, pulling away as he watches the box fall back before him. he doesn't touch it, and he waits for a couple more moments, it's then he takes the box to stare at the unique color before tossing it back on the other side not realizing she may still be there.

she's always on the move, so he doubts she would be in that same place.

why is she still around? shouldn't she have went home? shadow groans, not thrilled by the prospect of her being around.

it seems whoever is on the opposite side of the bush keeps sending back this one box to her. ]

[ Fio sends the box back a few more times and every time it just comes back. ...It does become sort of a fun little game to her, as she tries to determine which part of the bush the gift box will come out of next. Sometimes she catches the gift in her arms. Sometimes it lands by her feet. Other times, she steps to the side and allows it to fly past. She won't let it hit her forehead again!

After passing the box back and forth, it ultimately stays on her side in the end. Anyway, she needs to take this seriously. This belongs to someone! But who? She scoops it up into her arms and once again calls to the other side: ]

Hello? ...Why won't you talk to me? You really don't want this?

[ he's not in the happiest of moods as she continues, and knowing her persistent she was last time, if he speaks then she'll certainly crawl through the bush tl the other side. that's the only con with confirming she can take it and stop passing it to his side.

children takes some convincing, the obvious isn't always obvious to them, and it's not shadow's present nor does he want to be bothered by it. ]

Take it.

[ he was better off not saying anything, but if it can stop her from throwing the gift back to him then so be it. while the gift doesn't originally belong to him, he's seen them scattered everywhere, some with tags and others without. this one didn't have a name as far as shadow has seen, so it's available to anyone who claims it as theirs. ]

Leave.

[ Her eyes light up. Instead of leaving like he tells her to, her footsteps crunch the grass underneath, stepping closer to the bush. For now, she remains standing on the opposite side. At least she doesn't try to chuck the gift across again. She tilts her head. ]

Dar...kie?

[ A small hint of uncertainty when she says his nickname. For a moment, she considers the possibility that she may be calling out for the wrong one. It doesn't help that a bunch of leaves are blocking her view at the moment, so she can't check the quills. She's taking a chance with her guess. The other was spending time closer to a lake last she saw him. ]

I... really thought you returned to your world like you said you would.

[ he doesn't question her uncertainty, what he does do is mentally scold himself for not allowing to pass on. she does the opposite of what's requested of her which leads to shadow more annoyed than usual.

even she remembers his claim, and that of all things, as he was unable to see it through is like a nagging pain at his side. what did he have to do to leave with maria, why did he have to remain here, what did he do wrong? all it means is that he will have to reapply his knowledge, accept the new information his gains, and figure out where to go from there. ]

Where I go shouldn't be any of your concern.

[ it's an answer, he's here, he is darkie, but it's not something he wants to linger on only because he failed in retrospect. ]

Worry about yourself.

[ this world may not be as bad as the previous one, but being anywhere that's unfamiliar warrants a wary mind. ]

...I'm fine. I'm worried about you.

[ Again, doing the opposite of what he tells her to do! Suddenly there's a rustle, rustle. Fio emerges from the bushes, clumsily stumbling out and dropping the gift onto the grass.

She scoops the unopened box back off the ground, ignoring how there's little twigs and leaves stuck on her dress after pushing her way through the bush. The same hair clips from Aphaia still adorn her disheveled hair, standing out from the rest of her white attire just like before. ]

I'm sorry... you couldn't find a way back. But you can try to keep searching from here, right?

[ the same child as always, taller than him and still showing her concern. he tilts his head, ears twitching as he watches her to figure out what she wants from him. to accept her help? to say it's fine? ]

Plans have changed. To even return, I'll have to prevent the world from being destroyed.

[ his attention is now directed to the box inbher hand, noticing how she hasn't given it back. has she decided to keep it?

from the box to the hairpin, his eyes make a final stop to catching her gaze. there's a tired look in his eyes in contrast to how his body appears fine, he's been thinking non-stop as of late. ]

The state of my being is nothing you need to concern yourself with.

[ hence why his eyes drop down to the box in an attempt do change the subject. ]

...

[ Momentarily silent, only looking back at him with a sad frown. It's highly unlikely she'll ever give him the "okay" that she'll stop being concerned about him. No matter what he says. How can she not, especially with that exhausted stare. And with how... lonely he always seems to be, the type that just pushes others away. ]

...Well, let's take a look at what's inside this of box together, Darkie.

[ Fio speaks after a lengthy pause. Obviously, she has something to say about his change of plans. Like wanting to help him and all. For now, she switches the subject for his sake, hoping it is a welcome distraction. And honestly, she is curious about the gift. ] It could be something important to you.

[ Once they both identify what's inside, they can determine who the actual owner is. She carefully removes the ribbon and lifts the lid. ]

There's not much I hold of importance.

[ that comes out of a box anyway, but he still says it in the most horrible manner to make it worse for himself. instead of leaving, he stands there, watching as the girl begins to undo the box's ribbon to reveal a white piece of fabric trimmed with another color.

he stares at it, not really caring what it is, but is it a blanket or something. fitting for a child like her if anyone should have it. ]

Hm.

[ there's no name attached from what he can see indicating who it belongs to. he waits for her to pull it out so he can get a better look, but even so, that doesn't mean shadow will be of any help. ]

[ She doesn't expect to find anything that would be for her. Whatever she had back home were mostly handmade trinkets cobbled together from what she can find outside, often gifted to another. Sometimes they were just ordinary seashells with nothing special done to them. ]

...Have you never received a gift before?

[ That wasn't mistakenly handed to him like the box they have now. She thinks about the little flowers that she's collected so far in the fields. It'll take some extra time for them to dry...

She lifts the piece of fabric out, letting the box drop on the ground so she can better examine it. Carefully, she holds up what appears to be a white... cape? With a fuchsia trim. Big enough to comfortably wrap around Fio like a nice cozy blanket. It feels high quality, something that she would have never been able to own. ]

This isn't mine.

[ A glance over at Shadow, checking his reaction. ]

[ it's not like he hasn't been given a gift. to be entirely honest, the shoes he wears are a gift within their own right, and the rings around his arms. the former was designed by a friend, someone who was already excited about the future that would come upon shadow's awakening. he's received many gifts even after that, fifty years and more since her death, it's not unknown to him. there are some things that are worthless and others he holds onto in his own way. ]

Don't think about it.

[ he corrects her quickly knowing she'd be the type to find something for him. moving on from that, he notes the attire, staring at it for a brief second. in the end, whether he knows who it belongs to or not, it's not his problem. ]

It's yours now. You've found it.

[ technically shadow found it, but he doesn't want anything to do with the box. since she opened and pulled it out, the outfit piece is basically hers. ]

There's no one here to take it from you.

[ ...She won't think about giving a gift to him now, anyway. There's nothing she can give at the moment. For now, she continues to worry about the original owner of the cape in her possession.

It would certainly benefit her to add a little more to her slowly growing wardrobe. Though she wears a better quality dress at present, it's definitely not thick enough to keep her warm on any colder days. But she feels guilty that she could be taking away someone else's very important item. This feels like theft...

With a frown, she shakes her head. ]

We gotta look around for the right owner. Maybe they're close by!

[ look for them? they wouldn't even know where to start, and the more he looks at that piece the more he dreads the concept of doing so. ]

And if they're not?

[ she wants to help, he doesn't. there's no need to go out of their way to find who it belongs to when there's a chance it probably has no owner. shadow knows that's not true, the fact he has an inkling of where it should go could start to dawn on him if he paid it more mind, but is he doing that? no.

why do that when he can just... ]

You'll be wasting my time. [ fio's time is pretty flexible, she can do whatever with hers, but his? he's never interested in doing anything. ]

Let's search around here then try going back towards the city. If no one around recognizes it, then I'll hold onto it.

[ Until she comes across the original owner, if that ever happens. The owner could be anywhere in Etraya.

She still has yet the chance to take the trolley, to explore what the rest of the planet has. She'll limit the search to the areas she's familiar with, mostly where the hospital and apartments are. Perhaps more people congregate in that area. ]

...Pleeaaase, Darkie? [ She could take on the task by herself, but... she does want Shadow's company. ] We'll look around, just for a little while.

I don't care to help.

[ this is her mission, not theirs, he should have known when she added him with "we". that said, he'll cross his arms and look at her very annoyed at the prospect of doing this. ]

Surely you've made friends here to count on instead.

[ he's not a friend, he doesn't want to be so he's excluded out of the context of what he's saying. even if he's "darkie" and he's yet to refute the name, he does sound pretty serious that she has other options that aren't him, or should have other people to confide in.

with as much as she's unwilling to budge, he's pretty sure she's managed to get someone to bend to her desires. ]

[ It's true that she's met many kind individuals that she would like to consider friends, despite the short amount of time she's known them. Hopefully, they think the same of her as well. There is also one other like her from the Cage, Lars, that she knows that she can reach out to. The earpiece can be useful for her to quickly reach anyone, but she's made little use of it. It's still a strange piece of technology that she's not fully accustomed to. ]

You're the one that's here right now. I want you to search with me. It's just gonna be for a little while, like I said.

[ She already knows not to mention the "friend" word around him, not to include him in that group. Because she knows what he'll say. He doesn't want to be friends, but of course, Fio still wants to be... ]

I'm not tired today, not like that other time. I won't be a li- lie ability.

[ She remembers the funny word from last time. Kind of. ]

...

[ it almost sounds like she's saying he has no choice, like she's making the rules and he has to abide by them. he rolls his eyes, contemplating that he should leave, but as she continues to speak... maybe he shouldn't have taught her that word. ]

The moment you tire, I'm leaving.

[ kids have energy, he'll probably regret this, but if he's lucky then she'll exhaust herself out along the way. one hand rests on his hip as the hedgehog takes a few steps to stand by fio's side, and with a groan he looks to her as if asking which way does she want to go. ]

I'll follow your lead.

[ that way if there's any chocobos, he can at least shoo them off if they get too close. ]

[ She doesn't require him to do too much. Just his company is good enough. Her serious expression blossoms into a cheerful smile, happy that her mission isn't solo. She bounces lightly on her heels. ]

Okay! Hehe. Yay! Thank you, Darkie! Thank you, thank you!

[ It does take a few extra moments for her to actually get started moving. As best as she can, she folds the cape, stuffs it back into the gift box, and scoops it up. Was that necessary? ...Not really. Fio just doesn't want to litter. ]

Ready. Try to keep up! [ She says playfully, knowing he will since he is the "Ultimate Lifeform" after all. Off she goes, poking through their nearby surroundings, checking behind trees and bushes. ] Helloooo? Is anyone else out here?

[ with how quick her expression went, shadow has to wonder how many people has she did this stunt on. the brat is taking advantage of his kindness, isn't she? squinting at her, shadow rolls his eyes before following right behind. ]

You shouldn't wander around by yourself.

[ just in general, why is there no one with her? then again, there hasn't been anyone he's seen with evil intentions yet. she also doesn't seem to be the type who likes to be alone, she probably didn't enjoy it when shadow separated from her at the last world.

what child would? ]

If your curiosity places you in situations like this that you can't do by yourself, you should accompany someone through the day.

[ if she did, then he'd go unbothered. sometimes he stops to watch her stick her head through bushes, and it's through one unlucky one that a chocobo thinks one of her little ponytails is a worm.

... there the bird goes, trying to grab it with its beak. before it can, shadow's quick to throw a small rock at the bird's beak, causing it to fall back onto its rear end from the pain. ]

[ She did get a little carried away with her flower picking. Part of this feels like she's repeating a similar exchange that she had with the other Shadow. And Fio uses the same response for this one: ]

...I'll ask for company next time.

[ She'll try to anyway, knowing not everyone will always be available to give her the company she desires. She has wandered around by herself many times, so she thinks she would be able to handle doing the same here when she has to...

While poking through a bush, the chocobo takes her by surprise and suddenly, it's down on the ground within seconds. Though it was just coming for her pigtails, she feels sad for it.

She looks at the hedgehog with a frown. ]

Darkie, try not to hurt the birdies.

[ then the shadows have something in common, that small part of them that instructs without sounding too worried about another person's safety. if he knew that he sounded like the other version of him, he'd probably frown, if he knew that she repeated a line, it might have caused him to leave.

however, what he doesn't know won't hurt him. even her complain only gains a stare, unbothered by her request. ]

Do you want me gone?

[ if she's that protective of the birds, he won't stop her from being so, but him even being around may result in the same issue in case the birds do something that warrant a small reminder of "no, don't do that".

the bird looks at fio before getting up and trotting away, luckily it understood that shadow didn't have time for their wiles.

however with it gone, shadow still looks to her in case she wants to change her mind of who she takes help from with locating the owner. ]

[ Hearing the creature's movement, she turns her head briefly to check on the bird, a sense of relief washing over her to find that the chocobo still has the strength to stand on its own and retreat elsewhere. The bird was very close to crossing the line by snatching her with its massive beak. It didn't lay a feather on her, fortunately. But if Shadow hadn't thrown that rock, who knows if Fio would've been able to react quickly enough to step out of the way.

She's always been soft, finding it difficult to react with the same roughness that Shadow has. Back in the alien world, even if he didn't attack anyone, it was also him that had to drive away the reporters with his attitude... ]

I never said that I want you gone. We can search together... and we can do that without hurting the birdies... or anyone. I don't like seeing others get hurt...

[ she doesn't understand who she's talking to. it's shadow's tendency to be violent that makes him the opposite company that she wants. she doesn't know this, but if things aren't done his way, he'll make sure that they are. ]

I won't waste your time.

[ she doesn't need for him to be gone, but he knows that he can leave. if for her sanity and happiness that she doesn't want anyone hurt then he will follow what she's after.

while he could stay by her side, go by what she wants, there is his pride at stake. he's already walking the opposite direction, not to find someone, but to leave so that she doesn't have to see any violence moving forward. ]

@sabigoe

no subject

no subject

they play catch

fio one of the few who manages to get shadow to play """games""" bc he doesn't even realize

parenting when he doesn't realize...

in fio's eyes, he could be the #1 father even if he's mean

she would give him a #1 dad mug and another one if he breaks it

how did you know he would break it by throwing it at someone

i just remembered some canon bs and that would actually make her cry LOL. so if u want to be evil...

no... what would make her cry what is it that shadow is capable of...

well would he really break a handmade gift...

yes and no.... it depends on the person... fio's innocent, she does no wrong...

someday... he will get a gift... >:(

she can give the other him a gift... he needs it more... look at him... sad wet cat

dw she's already planning to give him a gift. grumpy old man cat can have gifts too...

fio always thinking about others but never about herself

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject