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⏴

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[ blaze nods absently at his observation—she seems to agree. give her a moment though, and she'll break into a slight smile, peering back at the man beside her. ]

What of your thoughts? I'm interested to know what might stand out to you.

[ aside from, you know, a simple black tea. really though, blaze is starting to think he might be right—perhaps a chai tea would be something they have? a familiar taste like that might soothe her nerves after all she's been through in these places. ]

[ Scanning the list anew, Dion considers his options. Given a list of so many lengthy drink names that presumably denote what all goes in them, and names he doesn't find at all familiar, Dion is taking a shot in the dark no matter what he does. ]

I've not heard of these blends, but a "cherry chai" sounds less a mystery than the rest.

[ Here he is assuming it's just a variety of chai and hoping that is a black tea based on the selections on the board. The name is short and simple, making it seem like less of a puzzle despite the unfamiliarity of it. ]

So I may try that and see whether I'm gravely mistaken.

You read my mind.

[ how astute of him, and she can hardly complain—though she does have some doubts about how the sweetness of cherry might blend with the warm chai spices. of the list, it seems the least like a risk to order, so she'll ask: ]

Please order two, if you will. I'd like to try the same.

[ or maybe it's less asking, more telling, but that's what she's used to regardless. ]

[ If she's telling, she does so politely. In either case, Dion doesn't mind placing an order for them both. ]

Very well, two then.

[ He gestures to the automaton behind the counter and it wheels its way over. As of yet Dion isn't accustomed to this technology, but he sees them as Aurora's subordinates, and that works well enough to guide his interactions with them. ]

Good day to you. [ Are salutations necessary? He isn't sure, but better safe than impolite. ] Two of the cherry chai, please.

[ The automaton beeps what he assumes is an affirmative and gets to work. ]

[ it gets to work indeed. procuring cups and whirring at the machines as they begin to dispense their drinks. blaze glances over curiously, but she's been trained for this moment by sonic's world—that's why she can pull her attention back to the man with her. ]

My name is Blaze, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[ she may as well introduce herself, if they're going to share tea together. ]

[ The introduction prompts Dion to stop peering at the automaton as it works, turning to face her properly. He places a hand over his chest. ]

Dion. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Blaze.

[ Punctuated with a polite nod. He may not know whether she has rank or title, but she's a lady regardless. ]

Just Blaze, if you will.

[ blaze is quick to correct him—she's not even a lady in the first place, but a princess. still, instead of those formalities, she holds out her hand, offering it for him to shake. ]

Your manners are impressive, but there's no need for formalities around me.

[ What is a man but a mass of formalities— no, that's just Dion. Yet he isn't obstinate in this regard. It isn't polite if someone doesn't wish to be addressed that way. ]

As you wish.

[ He takes her hand... Only to turn it and place his other om top of it. This has been Dion's compromise between being genteel as he was taught and what others may find excessive out of a courtly setting. ]

Then I am pleased to meet you, Blaze.

[ His tone is quite sincere when he speaks, after which he releases her hand. ]

[ hmm, it seems that his even if his words can be tempered, he has such a courteous demeanour that his manners can't be taken from him completely. is that so? but blaze is more than used to this; it's hard for others to let their facade drop around a princess, and while she hasn't mentioned this... perhaps he's some kind of nobility?

more importantly, what she has to say about this: ]

Likewise. And I appreciate you holding back your excellent manners for me.

[ she's still smiling now, waving her hand a little dismissively. ]

I prefer to speak to others as equals, where possible.

I quite agree.

[ Dion had, after all, asked Joshua to simply call him by name. Granted a part of that was just how much the other man truly is his peer and part of it is the simple desire to be defined by who he is rather than always by what he is, but the sentiment holds.

To not first be prince or Dominant of Bahamut is a reprieve for him. ]

We are all comrades in this place, after all.

[ He adds, only to be alerted by a loud beep that their tea is ready. Dion jolts, quite unused to electronic noises, but he wastes no time collecting their drinks. The clear cups are clearly not glass, and something of a curiosity, but he sets that aside in favor of offering Blaze her beverage. ]

[ what he says is true, but before she can manage to agree—once again, blaze is relieved that she's become so used to the workings of sonic's world when she catches that slight jolt from dion. her smile is sympathetic, as she remembers feeling quite similar before, and she accepts her drink gratefully when it's offered to her before taking a tentative sip of it. ]

Hmm...

[ the sprinkles is an interesting choice. honestly, she'd been bracing herself for worse, but actually? ]

It isn't bad. What do you think?

[ the cherry is a bit strong, but that's probably to be expected. ]

[ Dion has decidedly not seen a beverage capped with pink foam before. He looks it over curiously before taking a furtive sip.

His brow furrows as he considers how best to describe the experience. ]

This brings to mind dessert rather than tea, and yet...

[ It clearly is tea, but Dion has never before had something quite this sweet in beverage form. A curiosity, to say the least. ]

Yes, I can't help but agree.

[ truthfully? she'd hoped for a little more spice from the chai, but rather than a spiced drink accented with sweetness, this has the feeing of—as he'd noted, a dessert with a touch of spice.

she'll caution another sip... at least it's a cool drink. that gets points from her. but anyway, dismissing that thought... now that they've had their drinks! ]

Can I assume from your unfamiliarity with the drinks here, that you've arrived as recently as I have?

Just as you say, I am new to this place as well.

[ It comes as a relief that Dion isn't alone on that front. A certain familiar face has not joined him here, but he is far from the only new arrival.

He takes another sip of the chai, then tries swirling the beverage about in its cup as though he's heavy-handedly aerating wine. The pink foam at the top blends into the tea, and he samples it again.

His eyebrows lift. ]

...That is an improvement.

[ Blended in with the chai, the sweet foam doesn't overwhelm the palate. ]

[ blaze observes him as he stirs his drink around, the foam beginning to become one with the rest of the tea, and as he offers his verdict as well.

truthfully, if she were at home, she would never consider to imitate another so openly, unless perhaps it were her staff instruction her on how the drink should be tasted. but now, she isn't home, and at his comment, she'll peer down at her own cup, using the straw to stir the foam into the body of the drink, and then take a sip. hmmm. ]

Yes, that's much better.

[ she'll accept it. it wasn't what she expected, but it isn't bad by any means. ]

[ They have succeeded in improving the tea. Dion can only wonder if all the teas here are similarly sweetened, or whether there's all that much variety in the selection. Only bits and pieces of the names hold meaning.

It will be a mystery reserved for another day. For now, he glances toward a nearby table with vacant chairs stationed at either side of it. ]

Would you care to sit? Perhaps we might speak further.

[ They're both new, doubtless they both have thoughts on all of this. Their circumstances, the hodgepodge of architecture, the curiosities of the local beverage selection... ]

[ blaze nods, pulling out a seat for herself at dion's suggestion. ]

Very well, what would you like to talk about?

[ she can only assume that they've reached the end of judging these drinks, but she's very curious about the others who have arrived in this world alongside her. she can't help but wonder if there's a common theme that ties them all together, to be those who are judged on behalf of their entire worlds. ]

[ Dion claims the seat across from hers, sinking into place there with the air of a soldier rather than the poise of a prince. ]

Perhaps, if others have not exhausted the subject, what to make of all this.

[ He gestures toward the window, though he means more than just their immediate surroundings. They've been told their worlds hang in the balance, that they are here to serve as their champions, yet answers are so incredibly few. ]

[ at that, blaze crosses her arms. her smile falls, but she doesn't seem upset by the subject—rather, thoughtful as she mulls it over. ]

I imagine you've taken many opinions on the subject, yes?

[ meaning, what she has to say is likely nothing new. ]

I will echo those thoughts of one I had met on Aphaia: I do not necessarily have any reason to believe Aurora's words, but in case she does tell the truth, I see it best to play along for now.

[ for now... because she would have few regrets about changing her conduct should some further proof surface, but she's not so bold nor suspicious as to risk the fate of her world. ]

Not so many as perhaps I should.

[ Dion admits this, for Aphaia had been a disorienting tumult of lights, sound, and organized chaos. It might be generous to call it organized, considering his experiences in that world, but he acknowledges there was some sort of order to how it was intended to function.

But he has spoken to a few regarding the circumstances and their misgivings. Some trust Aurora and others doubt, openly or otherwise. He finds himself in agreement with what Blaze has to say as he takes another sip of his tea. ]

Yet I am inclined to agree. We know not whether she speaks true, nor whether those above her have deceived her. It would be a poor gamble to risk one's world and people for want of answers.

[ blaze takes on a rather serious demeanour at the mention of risk to their worlds. she supposes it's inherent to their current arrangement, but the possibility of increasing that risk with intention only causes her to feel her determination redouble. she shakes her head. ]

I am responsible for my people, and I will protect the world that they live on no matter the cost. Perhaps others may not share this sentiment, but I cannot bring myself to consider that possibility.

[ not to mention... ]

Especially when there is another world too, that hangs in the balance if mine were to be destroyed.

[ and she's grown to love and cherish the people of sonic's world every bit as much as her own people. though it's no different for shadow and amy, whether they're aware of such or not, the weight of two worlds hangs heavy on her shoulders as she stares down into her cup. ]

I understand. My people and my world were threatened prior. I committed my life to ending that threat, as was my duty.

[ Dion thought that he'd fallen for that cause, in fact, until he'd found himself being briefed by Aurora and herded through a portal. He still questions the nature of his presence in this place. Was his theory correct, or was Joshua's?

There is no way of knowing, he reasons. ]

But your world is bound to another?

[ To shoulder not one world, but two... ]

[ his duty? blaze's ears prick at that, though she focuses on answering what seems to be his curiosity about the matter. perhaps this is only speculation, but given what almost happened to her world, she feels confident enough to say this. ]

Yes, the fate of one will also eventually come to be the fate of the other. Both were nearly lost in the past, but we thought we had dealt with the issue at the time.

[ blaze's hand curls into a fist, determined, but also... frustrated. ]

[ And now here they are, amidst all this. Dion believes he understands the frustration. He didn't know the outcome of his own battle and doesn't still yet. But he had hoped for the best, that they should prevail.

Their people deserved no less. ]

It is a difficult thing to be told our worlds are threatened anew.

[ He doesn't wish to believe it, but as they've established, they can't discount the possibility. ]

Are any from that other world here as well?

Yes, a couple. A pink hedgehog named Amy Rose, and Silver the Hedgehog, whose appearance matches is as you would expect.

[ you know, a silver hedgehog. ]

Though they come from different backgrounds, both are quite reliable.

[ perhaps with different strengths, but ones that complement one another, and they're both partners to whom blaze would gladly lend her trust. there's also shadow, but blaze has a feeling that he isn't looking for friends by recommendation, so she'll leave him out. ]

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oblige - 2025-06-03 21:37 (UTC) - Expand

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APRIL MINGLE

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bought one of these so i'd know what to think here 😭

oh my gosh, the research...!

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