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

[He did not expect to see a pair of roller skates when he opened one of those gift boxes, especially a pair of roller skates that have a familiar name attached to it: Shadow. And holy shit. The hedgehog that he met not too long ago on that other planet? These roller skates are for him? Well, it could be a different Etrayan, but that's his first pick.

And uh, hopefully it's the 'nicer' one.

Obviously, the easiest thing to do would be to just send Shadow a message... tell him that he has something of his, but he sees a familiar black blur run off not too far away and okay. He's going to try really hard to track that. Luckily, he leaves a trail that isn't hard to follow, uneven ground and knocked over trees signaling a path to the hedgehog until he spots him sitting over at the lake.

He's really here on Etraya. He made it. Scott can't deny the relief in his chest. Well, assuming it's the first black hedgehog that he encountered. If it's the other one, guess he'll be glad that he made it out too. Humph. But he starts walking closer to Shadow, only stopping slightly when the Chocobo starts calling out at him.]

Hey, I'm just here to deliver something!

[The brown chocobos continue to wark at their stranger, flapping their wings in an intimidation display. Otherwise, they aren't attacking Scott. Shadow is...well he's still not happy when someone finds him, but seeing that it's Scott. They're harmless as far as he's aware. He steps forward from the chocobos, still keeping distance between himself and Scott.]

What are you talking about? [Deliver what? He didn't order or expect anything.]

[While he doesn't take on an offensive stance, Scott doesn't raise his hands to show that he's coming here in peace. Just. Please birds. Don't interrupt him from his mission. Would he fight a chocobo? Maybe, possibly, but that's really not how Scott wants to spend the next few minutes. So he's glad to see Shadow step forward a bit-- that feeling only expanding as soon as he talks because it's the voice of the black hedgehog that he initially met. The one that needed help with his earpiece.

He wonders if he's gotten familiar with it by now.

But questions for later, because Scott will hold out the box towards Shadow as a clear offering. Yeah, he placed the skates back in them, mostly for easier travel. ...And to keep it as a surprise.]

I found this... and it has your name on it. You're the only Shadow I know. [His mouth quirks upward a little, remembering the way he told him his name even though that was also the moment he disappeared. It's fine.]

[He looks at the box being offered to him, eyes narrowing. It could be a trick, a means for Scott to get him to do something. Because he can't think of anything he would need. Coming from this kid though, he can't imagine there's anything dangerous inside. A frown. Even if Scott hasn't presented himself as a threat, people still can't be trusted. A wary question as he takes a few approaching steps.]

Did you look at what's inside?

[Scott just continues to hold the present out to him, the teen even lowering himself to more of Shadow's height as he fights off a full grin. It feels a little like getting a distrustful animal to come closer by holding something good, but he knows to keep that comment to himself.]

Yeah I did. Call me nosy or whatever-- I mostly didn't see the nametag until later on. Whatever.

[Don't worry about it!! Think of it as double checking to make sure that the present wasn't a boobytrap or anything like that. Right. Not that stopped Scott from opening all the other gift boxes he found without thinking.]

[Nosy, but confirming there's nothing strange about it. Or they could be lying.

...

Well, he can handle whatever it is. Can't be worse than falling from space. So he comes up to Scott and takes the box from him. What could it possibly be to drive this kid to give this to him? The box top drops to the ground as he stares at the contents within. Eyes slowly widening. They have not been worn down by time when he last found them. Roller skates. But it can't be. Setting the box down, he picks up one of the skates, frantically checking the tag. Her name, written right there in permanent ink. She can't have, she would have-]

Where did you find this? [He looks up to Scott, demanding answers. He didn't seem quite as thrill by the gift and more...concern? A manner of urgency in his voice.]

[Shadow's expression wipes that growing smile off from Scott. Seeing his reaction... he almost feels like stumbled into a really personal moment for the hedgehog and not something he can really tease the other about. So, it's definitely something of sentimental value; it makes sense since the roller skates don't exactly look like they would fit on him??

So, he's a little quieter, more serious, the mutant fully okay with answering his sudden question.]

I found it near a tree, didn't really think anything of it at the time. There's boxes all around Etraya right now. [...] There wasn't anyone around when I picked it up.

[No one. He felt a moment of hope, but it was slowly getting consumed with doubt. She would have reached out to him by now if she was here. The other one certainly didn't stop trying to reach him after they got separated.

...

Now that he thinks about it, she stopped calling him once he returned here. He taps the earpiece. She probably hasn't change her username. As he checks the database, a frown starts to form, his ears slowly start to droop. Her name isn't there anymore. His Maria....would she have already tried to reach him if she was here? Or was she mad at him...? No, with how much love the other had given him, the Maria he knew would have been the same. Try everything in her power to find him. He taps the earpiece to turn off the HUD, left to stare at the roller skates without it's owner. Like someone's idea of a twisted joke.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he lowers himself to pick up the box lid to close the gift.] I don't want it. [He tries to give it back to Scott.]

[He wonders if these roller skates are connected to that 'blonde hair and blue eye' girl that the grumpy Shadow was looking for. It feels easy to assume, though he doesn't ask yet, the teen actually quiet for once as he watches Shadow tap his earpiece. Search for a name, only to come up empty. Was she someone that was actually here? ...Did she get left behind on that dying planet? That's really shitty to think about.

Scott doesn't air his thoughts yet, not wanting to bring the mood down more. Besides, they don't know that for sure.]

It was addressed to you, Shadow. [...] I think you should hang onto it, just in case.

[He doesn't even try to take the box back yet.]

Edited 2025-05-02 22:20 (UTC)

I don't trust it. [He didn't ask for this. He doesn't want to remember. Someone is clearly doing this deliberately. For what reason, he hasn't figured out. If Scott won't take it, he'll dispose of it later. "Later."]

You shouldn't open anymore of these boxes. [He's being serious. Don't open random shit you find in this place, kid.]

[Scott watches Shadow for a moment, noting his upset demeanor before looking back at the box that's still within his reach. If he doesn't immediately pull away, the mutant will reach out to take the box back from the other.]

How about I hold onto it for you then? If it blows up while I'm sleeping, I'll just haunt you later. [He's joking. Mostly. He doesn't think these 'gifts' are actually bad, these pair of roller skates are definitely safer than the candy that he's shoved into his mouth from them and he hasn't died from that yet. Maybe he should stop doing that much at least.]

Just in case you change your mind later, okay? [Since this item really is important to the hedgehog...]

. . . [And Scott will discover when he tries to take the box back, that he can't. Shadow is keeping a firm grip on it.]

If you're just going to hold onto it, then don't bother. Especially if it does blow up. [He can survive an explosion, Scott, as he claims, cannot.]

[He doesn't fight him hard on that; the moment he feels that resistance, Scott will release the box, although he doesn't let the topic drop so easily. He continues to frown at the other, though there's something a little more to that in the teen's expression. Just a touch of concern as well.]

It won't blow up. I was joking. [But okay, maybe that really isn't the point?? A small breath leaves Scott, the boy glancing at the box Shadow is still holding.] But... these roller skates, it belongs to someone important to you, right?

[Please don't point an energy spear at him--]

[...Well it wasn't a very funny joke. With reluctance, he's going to have to hold onto this damn box a while longer it seems. Unable to ditch it while this kid is still here, pressing him with questions. He doesn't give them an immediate response. Pensive.]

...I don't want to talk about it. [That's....not a spear to the face, at least? But the last thing he wants to do is dredge up memories of days long gone in front of someone. He turns around, starting to walk back down towards the lake. The brown chocobos seem to have calm down at this point. Shadow doesn't see Scott as a threat, so they are putting it together that they don't need to worry about him. They may just let him pass, if not to get a curious sniff of him. Did he have snacks at least?]

[He doesn't throw the box into the sun or the lake, so he's counting that as a win so far.

Shadow's response is expected and since he's not being actively threatened, he's also counting that as a win. Is this where his standards are nowadays? Not getting his life endangered by a grumpy hedgehog? Maybe. But as Shadow starts making his way over to the water, Scott finds himself watching him for a moment before starting to follow along. No, of course he's not just leaving this like that.

The chocobo doesn't attack him either, which thanks, big bird, one hand almost gently pressing against its feathered body before offering it a bag of chips that he got from one of those giftboxes. Hopefully a good enough snack before he walks closer to Shadow.]

...I'm glad that you made if off that other planet. [Scott decides to go with that, instead of diving straight into the Painful Topic.]

[Oh, Scott's about to be disappointed in a moment then. The chocobo gives the bag of chips a sniff. They then chortle as they turn their attention elsewhere, finding the grass beneath them more interesting then a bag of chips. Least they're not attacking?

Shadow comes to a halt at the edge of the lake. His ears twitch, hearing Scott deciding to follow him, of course. And then give him a questioning glance at his remark.] Why?

[That's fine, more chips for him. Maybe he'll even offer it to Shadow too. What's most important to him right now is the hedgehog at the edge of the lake, not the birds that have settled with each other and now picking at some grass. Yeah, they're fine.

But as he reaches Shadow, standing to his side a few feet away, he looks down at him with a slightly serious look. Okay. Guess it's being just a little honest time. Not something he does a lot, especially when talking about stuff like this, but after everything that's happened, back at Aphaia and making it here...

A small breath leaves his mouth, exhaling quietly.]

Because I liked hanging out with you. [...] Besides, I did promise to take you to the arcade. Don't think I forgot about that.

[...But he hasn't done anything. He just asked for help with the earpiece, and now they were trying to deliver something to him. Was that their intent all along? An excuse to see him? ...He be pissed, but Scott genuinely didn't sound like he knew what he had. His left ear twitches, in contemplation.]

. . . It's good you made it back. I suppose. [He doesn't sound pleased, or disappointed. He really just doesn't know what to do with this guy. The heart yearns to create a connection they continue to offer him, but it doesn't want go through the ordeal of it breaking again. Ever distrustful toward their intent, even when their words felt honest...

He looks to the box, something else to focus on that isn't so complicated. Raising it in his hand, he proceeds to try and throw it into the lake. Far as it can go.]

[There's a momentary look of surprise, hearing that from Shadow. Maybe not the most enthusiastic comment, but it's not like he had to say something like that either. Perhaps it talks of his own feelings about this place, how he's been feeling kind of lost and alone, because Scott finds himself smiling just a little in response.]

Thanks.

[But that somewhat warm feeling dissipates as Shadow chucks that box right into the lake and it's not like Scott can do anything about it. He watches as it hits the water with a splash, the mutant staring out at the lake with a small frown now. Well, hopefully Shadow won't come to regret that.]

You sure about that? Because look, regretting shit sucks.

You said it belonged to me, so I can do whatever I want with it. [That includes tossing it away. Seeing them only brings back memories that already haunt him in his sleep. This world, wanting to play with his emotions by presenting such a mockery "gift" to him. He watches as the box sinks beneath the surface, taking it's contents down with it.

Once it had disappeared beneath, he turns his back to the lake, walking back up from where he came.] There's no reason for you to stay here anymore.

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.

[The past is behind him now. He already gets constantly reminded enough in his dreams when he doesn't want it already. He stops, turning to give him a puzzling glance.]

With those birds? [They're behaving now, but who knows how long that will last. They especially like to follow around Shadow, so he rather get away from them.]

[He glances over at said birds for a moment. Big eyes meet sunglasses covered eyes... and he thinks they have agreed to some sort of treaty. Yeah.]

Yeah, sure. They seem fine, as long as they don't shit on me.

[Friendship over at that point. But they seem relatively calm right now and minding their own business, pecking at the greens below them. They really do seem fond of Shadow in particular though, maybe it's an animal thing? Even though space hedgehogs are different from birds.

But deciding to speak through action rather than just words, Scott opens his bag of sour cream and onion chips, snagging one before offering it to Shadow.]

If you're gonna run off again, at least try a chip. They're good.

[Careful. Shadow might know how to get these birds to shit on command, Scott. You never know. He stares at the bag of chips, the chip being offered. An unfamiliar, pungent scent coming from it.]

Where did you get them? [Yea, he's eating them and seems fine, but Shadow is still wary of putting anything foreign in his body.]

[Seeing that Shadow just chucked his own present into the lake... maybe admitting that he got this from a similar box might not be the best idea. Hm. A slight problem. He'll just shove more chips in his mouth in the mean time.]

Around. [Because that's definitely a better answer. Right.] I'm going to eat this whole bag if you don't make a decision soon.

[A small threat. He doesn't know if that will actually work.] Have you eaten anything since getting here?

birds of a feather;

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