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

Magic shit. [they turn the box lid over and squint at it.] To check for curses or traps.

[because that's what it feels like to them - some kind of hex. and that planchette would let them see it!

they huff, chucking the useless lid away, grabbing up their junk, and pick a hall, hesitating.

...there's weird constructs in this building, ghost-lady aside. Knife grimaces.

fuck it. it's either these or the crazed chickens! onward.]

Hmph. Pathetic, there's no need for that.

[ because all they would have to do is ensure they're not harmed when the trap strikes, but it's the hospital, it's the safest place all because it's a starter zone for everyone. it must have some reason for being a... safe haven. ]

Stay on the first floor and nothing will happen.

[ the companion bots or whatever they're called are around on halls, but shadow remains by the window waiting to see what the plan of the chocobos may be.

he's seen war, formation, it stands out in ways that he could probably guess from a strategic standpoint. ]

[squint.]

What, you run the place or something? [or this guy just talkin' confident?

...or are those his birds out there.]

[ shadow stares at him tiredly, unamused by his comment because let's be real, he doubts that pending would be able to make it through the second floor without worrying a bird is after them. ]

No. You'll bother everyone with your nonsense.

[ so stay on the first floor where there's nobody to bother aside from shadow. ]

Everyone? [they scoff.] How many could that be?

The building's full of not-people, outside's full of chickens...What people?

Are you not classified as part of "people" unless you're an idiot.

[ why they in here then... there's people that come inside!! ]

Making others aware of your problems will have a bleeding heart that says you don't understand the ones outside.

[ and what will that lead to? them letting the birds inside, but the robots could also become those bleeding hearts. ]

Do not make trouble for me.

[Knife has to fight the urge to roll their eyes. Bucko, I'd imagine the fact I breathe air near you is designated trouble for you, but okay. Sure. Whatever. What a fucking pedant! Sure I'm part of people, but there sure ain't a fuckin' LOT of them, are there!! Fuck!

Pending just has to stand there and feign stupidity. sigh.]

Right. You are more important. Of course.

[ luckily shadow is not a mind reader, so they're just staring at each other, but their comment doesn't mean he agrees.

his importance means nothing, all he needs from the other is to not make trouble. ]

Fool. Acknowledge your own well-being.

[ yes, shadow may be a strong hog and he may always be right (in his head), but that doesn't mean it gives the other right to be dead weight. ]

You're as important as you make your life to be.

[ do not begin to piss him off. that said, he's always distancing himself away from the window. ]

Block them.

[okay, now they roll their eyes, but any sass-back is aborted in light of the command.

they frown.

"them"-?]

What, the wind--[HELLO CLARICE THERE'S A CHOCOBO HEAD SHOVING OPEN THE WINDOW AND SQUAWKING. Knife hollers, swinging their elbow at it on reflex before shoving the window closed with their back.]

Guh...

[ well it's true, shadow doesn't need the extra praise towards his own life. it also seems very simple... fool!

...
...
...

oh, this is going to be a long night. ]

......It'll give up soon enough. When it goes, find fabric to cover the windows.

[ yeah, shadow shoots orders, but he's already dashing off to find anything close in relation to plants that the creatures might like to eat.

anyway, hold the fort down pending!! ]

[people could criticize Knife for hoarding things, but people can't give them shit right now! not when they can unclip their jacket and pull out a whole-ass hospital sheet and tack it into the wall with some of the scalpels they pinched.

see? see? it's resourceful pillaging.

muttering softly to themself:] Erast would've clobbered n' mashed'em all to paste and powder already... Where's he when I fuckin' need 'em...

[ there's shadow standing right next to pending as though he never left. the hedgehog looks up to them, and in his hands is one (1) singular bite of leafy greens.

they sit it right next to the other as though he should know what to do here. ]

[Knife double-takes, then scowls. Fucking telegraph your movements a little maybe?

man, whatever! what is this.]

Grass?

[what, are we rolling up and smoking all of a sudden?]

[ grass.

easy to tell someone doesn't have any information on the birds out there, but then again, what they eat was told to shadow against his will. ]

It'll help you.

[ he doesn't feel like explaining. ]

[this...is weirdly out-of-pocket. see, before all of this, Knife hung with a mutilated hobbit named Erast - chill guy, face like a giant, fucked-up thumb - and Erast had a penchant for smoothing over negotiations and chatting people up - things Knife is distinctly not experienced with, as if that weren't obvious.

Erast liked to icebreak negotiations and relationships with hard drugs, liquor, and weed.

so Knife here, looking at this, zero explanation, can't help but think: Is this weird motherfucker trying to make nice or something here? What? Why?

very confusing, very wrong. very inevitable misunderstanding.

okay, well. sure. they'll take the greens, because they don't wanna get sassed for refusing a gift.]

I don't got a light.

What the hell do you need a light for?

[ don't get shadow wrong, there's a reason for everything, much like how the hedgehog walks over to another window where there aren't any birds nearby. it almost appears to be freedom with the lack of their presence. ]

You're going out there with it.

[ ... ]

Through this window.

[ the back side might be safer. ]

[Pending's mouth opens to retort about how weed works, closes it as the critter lays out the actual plan.

they stare flatly.

This motherfucker wants me to get mauled by birds.]

Why does it have to be me?

When the chance to escape arises, you question it?

[ he could see it in the way the other reacted, they don't want to deal with the birds, no one does. however, they are stationed around this place for a reason, and shadow would rather get rid of them on his own terms. ]

That ain't escape, 'cuz I don't know where to run to. [this is all new to them, okay! and like hell they're gonna run blindly around being chased by a stampede of turkeys!]

Do you? [because if so, you're the fucking professional here!]

Are you unable to do things alone?

[ is he the type to always have someone by his side like a certain blue hedgehog with his glaggle of friends? ugh, how annoying. ]

Not really big on running around blind. Kinda stupid. [especially compared to having thick walls separating them from bird-bothering.] If I had a map or landmark target, that'd be fine.

[ "running around blind" what's blind about a city that's supposed to be their home world now, and why would they have a map.

his ear flicks, the device there. ]

Does it not show you?

[they grimace.]

Voices in the head. It's not good. [for...many reasons. they're not going to get into it.]

Look-- [they rub at their face, pinching the bridge of their nose, exhaling slowly. so much that should be sensible is apparently nonsense here, and all the shit that's blaring alarm bells is apparently a non-issue? backwards world.] Go wherever you want. Ignore me. It's fine.

....

[ it's not unfamiliar, why trust an unknown source like this? he doesn't push it, but given the option to ignore them works wonders for what he has in mind.

shadow walks over to the window, jumping out if it himself (without the leafy greens), and lands on the ground effortlessly.

from where pending stands, they'll catch sight of a chocobo in a tree that's waiting for shadow to come closer...

but the hedgehog pauses, jumping up into the tree with a swift kick, and the bird comes tumbling down. someone was prepared. staring at it, the hedgehog contemplates a hostage scenario. ]

[contemplating the odds of running into those freaky little bots further in the hospital means more time to idle, and more time to be present when Shadow beats up a tree for bird loot.

the noise prompts them to lean out enough to peer outside, squinting.

The fuck is he doing?]

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