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

a boy and a bird;
[Scott really had no interest in this bird taming thing. Seemed like a pain and he prefers actual vehicles, thanks. Motorcycles, sports cars, those kind of things, obviously. Cool stuff. So really, he just planned on sitting on this grassy hill with the same grumpy ass expression he's been wearing since he got to Etraya. Why? Lots of reasons. The normal teen angst, just compounded because of being kidnapped to another planet and being a mutant.

But apparently one particular green chocobo didn't get the hint.

As if sensing the young teen's distress, it has waddled up to Scott before bending down to nudge the boy's back with its beak. Good intentions, but...]

W-what the hell?! [Obviously startled by the sudden presence of the chocobo, Scott tries to scoot himself away-- although the bird only squawks before rubbing its entire head against his cheek.

What's going on... hopefully he's not about to be eaten.]

giftbox;
[Yeah, he managed to grab hold of a box. And it's not like he's excited, okay, but he is curious what might be inside. No one ever fully outgrows the anticipation of opening a present, even if you're the grown up age of sixteen years old. Right. Nonetheless, Scott pulls open the cover--

Only for his face to fall immediately flat as he takes out a pair of some cheap sunglasses. Really now.]

Wow, hilarious. [He's tempted to just throw it over his shoulder-- in fact, he'll do just that without looking back. Sorry if it hits someone.]

wildcard;
[Plot with me via PM or

currykirby.]

[The strange wrapped boxes have been turning up everywhere and Loki has to admit, he’s been rather curious himself. Especially since there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the delivery method.

He’s just noticed one half kicked under a bush nearby a young man he doesn’t recognize right away. Loki stoops to pick it up and is just straightening when he notices something flying at his face. Though he doubts the cheap glasses could hurt him, he instinctually reacts and grabs the sunglasses out of the air just before they hit him.]

I do believe you’ve dropped something.

[It takes a moment for Scott to place that voice. Familiar enough, mostly because Loki was one of the first individuals that he talked to over the earpieces, but not extending towards anything more than basic acquaintances. If even that. Still, he turns from his spot to look up at the older man, the teen frowning just a little-- just kind of his standard mood since arriving in Etraya.

He's still not really over the whole being brought to a new planet thing. This place is definitely better than the dying one, but still. Everything is just sort of confusing to deal with, made even more difficult with the whole parallel universe thing going on with the other mutants.

Nonetheless, he answers.]

Don't need them. Already got a pair. [...] Loki, right?

[Until he speaks, Loki has no idea who he’s speaking with other than your average, typical angry youth. He had been one himself at one point. In fact, for him it lasted far longer than it should have. Though he does think he can blame at least some of that on Kang, if he felt the need to place blame at all anymore. It hadn’t been fair, what had happened to him, but it had also made him who he is now, and he quite likes himself. For real this time.]

Just because you do not need them, doesn’t give you the right to throw them at other people. Or litter. There must be trash cans around here somewhere.

[He’s mostly teasing. Loki doesn’t actually care what he does with the glasses, but he does think the young man should be more careful about where he chooses to throw them.]

Yes, I am Loki. You are the young man I spoke with over the audio devices in Aphaia, is that correct? Scott I believe?

Great, thanks for letting me know, litter police.

[Scott with the great comebacks... his attitude unfortunately sour and leaving him not the most pleasant of people to talk to. He quite hasn't told Loki to fuck off though, the mutant idly curling one leg up his chest as he leans against it, deciding to engage in his earlier activity of brooding and staring out at the city.

But he still answers him.]

Yeah, Scott. [He affirms, even though he considered just giving himself a new name because being Scott Summers is apparently a whole thing to others. But whatever.] ...Guess we made it off that other planet.

[So Loki was right, but he's not going to admit it.]

I, nor indeed anyone, should have to police you on such things. As much as you may not have chosen it, for the time being this is your home and you do not, as they say, shit where you eat.

[And when exactly did Loki become such a stick in the mud? Well he’s not really, he just has the feeling that this might annoy the young man a little and having the glasses tossed at his head annoyed him a little. And besides, Loki has seen enough timelines go to hell because of people not caring for the land.

As Scott answers him, which actually is a bit of a surprise, Loki disappears the glasses into his pocket dimension. They are likely worthless, but they are also from Echo or Etraya in some fashion and he wants to investigate what he can.]

We did. I am glad to see you made it, even if you do not want to be here. Unfortunately, you are not alone in that.

You've never been around New York or basically any city in America, have you? Everyone 'shits where they eat.'

[Not that he litters most of the time, he usually tries to throw his garbage in the trash, but being annoying and difficult is the mood of today. Of the past several days, ever since he arrived on that other planet. Yeah Etraya itself is definitely an improvement, but that lonely feeling hasn't dissipated at all. Maybe it's even worse in some ways, since he's not as focused on trying to just survive.

He's had more time to just sit and think about things. Never a good combination with an angry teen--]

What gave you that impression? [Not wanting to be here. Scott leans more against his leg, mouth still turned into a frown.] Join the club, unless you actually want to be here.

I have, in fact, been to New York City, though I was rather a little distracted at the time.

[Loki stiffens at the mention. It’s been hundreds of years since he was that person and yet it still haunts him. Of course, if it had not been for his attack, he never would’ve ended up at the TVA, met his best friend or been able to redeem himself. But no one from his world knows that and the mention of it puts him on edge, even if there is no apparent knowledge of his attacks from Scott himself.]

Why I looked into your mind, of course. [Though that is something Loki is capable of, he has not done anything of the sort. He’s just feeling a bit petty at the moment. He’s changed a lot, but can a leopard really change its spots? ]

I do not like how I came to be here, and I do have important work to return to, but that does not mean I have not found much that I like about this place. [Mostly the people and namely one person in specific, but that is none of Scott’s business.]

Great, go ahead and look into it too like everyone else. [Because it's free real estate--

He can't help but tense a little as Loki remarks about reading into his mind, actually taking him seriously because he knows at least three telepaths here and why wouldn't there be more. Loki isn't even a mutant, which he isn't sure is better or worse, when it comes to reading his mind. At least there's less baggage when it comes to knowing another version of him? But. Not great.

Hence, moody staring at the the field in front of him.]

So, are you going to try and convince me that this place really isn't so bad? You might be sitting next to me for a while then.

Scott Summers | XMCU

Gift Box

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