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

[ Dion has begun to draw his weapon away, only for his movement to stutter at the question. He shoots the teenager a scandalized look. ]

Good Greagor, no.

[ Have you any idea how unfortunate chocobo meat is, Scott? That is a desperation meal. They are far from desperation in this place. By all accounts, food is far more plentiful here than back home.

Belatedly, Dion recalls his weapon's simple existence and turns it away, placing it beside him on the grass. ]

I was only observing. I'd not expected to see chocobos here, much less in such numbers.

[A part of him wants to ask why he's carrying around a halberd then, but eh, maybe he's just one of those types that always need to have a weapon on him. Like a samurai or something. His manner of clothes kind of remind him of something he'd see in a fantasy show or movie. Well, people from all worlds and timelines here...

So he just accepts it. At least he's most likely not dealing with another mutant. Someone that won't tell him that they know a version of him back in their reality and all that stupid baggage. Instead, he turns his attention back to the chocobos that are still hanging out in the distance, trying to just join Dion in the... observing. Why not?

He too can just watch giant birds from up this hill. He squats down by him.]

So you're familiar with these birds back from your world? They don't exist in mine. [...] What are you aiming for then?

[ Dion's first response is to point out the box nestled in the grass, right in the midst of the chocobos. The birds themselves seem to pay it no mind, despite the brightly-colored ribbon the package is crowned with. ]

That box there. I've been looking for someone, but it seemed well enough to recover errant gifts at the same time.

[ If Dion's roaming hither and yon anyway, he might as well help get stray items to the right hands. So he reasons, watching the birds mill about the package as though it wasn't there at all. ]

The trouble is, these groups can easily be startled. Though they pose little threat, I'd be loath to harm them for defending themselves.

[Oh, he sees the giftbox now. Right, okay.]

I've seen those presents scattered around Etraya.

[But hm, he can see the trouble with all this. If they get too close, they might spook the chocobos and they might trample over the gift-- not to mention as this guy just mentioned, they might also end up hurting themselves. He has nothing against Big Bird, so yeah, he's not really a fan of that happening either.]

Can't we just calm them down through food? Place some sort of food offering to the side to get them elsewhere?

[ Dion's first response is to heft a satchel up from where it was seated beside him. He passes this from one hand to the other, settling it between him and Scott, then lifts the flap to reveal a collection of what appear to be steepled cabbages. ]

I did consider that, yes. The complication is that they become...very eager the moment they get wind of greens.

[ Eager is a polite way to put it. Chocobos are absolutely ravenous over gysahl greens, and in that frenzy, they might also trample the box. ]

A single chocobo would be simple enough, but the group is more troublesome.

[Curiously, he looks down at the cabbages stored in the satchel and the answer's clear enough. Food that chocobos prefer but... this still isn't enough. This guy really is cautious about these giant ass birds, but it almost feels like they're running out of options. Too bad he doesn't have telekinesis or something to lift the giftbox, but he has a feeling that might also spook the birds too.

So, the teen leans his cheek against an open palm, one eyebrow arched at Dion]

Got any plan whatsoever? [...Is he really volunteering to help if he can? Maybe. Whatever. It can be his good deed of the day.] So we all go home happy?

I was considering the merits of luring them away from multiple fronts, but that requires more than one person.

[ If the chocobos are drawn away from the parcel in this manner, the hope is that none of them trample it. Dion had considered the merits of throwing greens, but that wouldn't give any assurance of success. ]

A pincer maneuver, so to speak.

[ He suggests this, seeing the offer of aid for what it is. It's the "we" that indicates a certain willingness to get involved, so Dion thinks. ]

[While he hasn't really heard of that exact maneuver, he thinks he might get the gist of what it is. Maybe he's just sort of following along with Dion's train of thought, nodding a little at the 'suggestion' that this will take more than one person. Yeah yeah, he's already signed up for this. He's not taking it back now.

Man it's going to be really disappointing if nothing is in that box, but... now it's just the principle of the matter. Solving this without causing trouble. He's honestly feeling kind of determined about this.]

So, we approach on opposite sides, correct? Hopefully get some of the chocobos to follow you while the others follow me. Split the group and no trampled present. Anything that I should worry about when dealing with these giant birds?

[Since they're native to wherever he's from. Might help to just have extra information in case something goes wrong.]

Correct.

[ Scott has the right of it. Drawing the birds away on two fronts should give them the best odds of success. As for his question, Dion's first answer is a thoughtful hum. What would be useful in this situation for those unfamiliar with chocobos? ]

The one with the colorful plumage is the leader. If he is alarmed, the others will be as well. He is the most likely to become aggressive if approached carelessly.

[ He picks up one of the greens, holding it up on his palm. ]

But he will be no less enticed by these than his flock. Slow movements and calm will avail us with these in-hand.

Edited 2025-05-06 05:52 (UTC)

[The one that's more 'colorful.' Okay, yeah. Although he sees everything in a shade of red, he can still mark the leader from the others, and there's definitely one particular chocobo that looks just a little different-- standing out even to him. Scott's going to assume that is the one Dion is referencing and he keeps his eyes on it as he nods. The big bird that they have to watch out for the most...]

Okay, so just take our time. I can do that. Not like I'm in a big hurry. [Says the teenager that likes to speed down roads. But no, he can do this, and it's strange because he can actually feel himself getting just a little more focused on this. It's kind of silly, because he's just drawing birds away, but it's certainly there.]

I'll go right then. [He mentions, figuring to tell Dion as he takes a few of the greens for himself.]

[ He may not have expected help to come so readily, but Dion won't question it. Rather, he's grateful for the assistance, quietly rising to his feet. ]

Very well. I shall take the left.

[ With that decided, Dion takes several greens himself and starts down the hill. The chocobos will take notice of them soon enough, so angle of approach should make all the difference. He hopes as much, at least, since that gift box may hold something meaningful to one of their comrades here. ]

[Scott's almost tiptoeing as he slowly approaches the birds. Is he being overly cautious? Maybe, like he took Dion's advice just a little to the extreme. A part of him thinks he should feel a little nervous about this, but maybe because this 'mission' isn't actually life threatening, he doesn't feel that way. Or maybe it's something else. This definitely isn't anything as bad as the stuff that happened on that other planet they just escaped from.

So, he continues his slow gait, eyes focused on the now alert chocobos as he approaches them from his chosen side. Luckily, he sees that he's attracted the attention of a couple of the birds, two of them leaving the pack to walk closer to Scott.

So far so good...]

[ Dion endeavors to match the timing of his approach to Scott's, far from wanting to leave the fellow warmed by excited birds. Without fail, the remaining two begin sidling in his direction when theh catch wind of the greens, eyes most assuredly trained on the prize.

He lifts the leafy greens when the birds draw near enough, mindful of his fingers. The chocobos descend upon the greens as though they've been made to starve, devouring them with a frantic eagerness that comes as no surprise.

Chocobos will eagerly consume gysahl greens regardless of how much they've eaten on any given day.

Dion glances Scott's way, hoping he isn't caught too off-guard by how excited chocobos become when presented with their favorite food. ]

[Scott barely stops himself from wildly startling as the chocobos nearly rip the greens from his hold, though a sharp flinch still manages to pass through him that they luckily seem to ignore in favor of having their favorite food nearby. It's just that really came close to his fingers! Is this what it's like to feed horses? The teen can't help but remain just a little more tense, slowly adjusting his hold so that he can avoid an accident in the making.

Man, these birds, he can't say he's a fan.

But as the two chocobos begins to consume the gyshal greens with a certain enthusiasm, only really eating the greens and not picking at him at all... it's a little nice. Enough where Scott slowly raises a hand to one of the birds to place his palm against a feathered neck. Okay, maybe this part isn't so bad.

...

Oh right, what about the present? He glances over at Dion, making a slightly helpless face. He's stuck with two birds that he doesn't want to fully leave now. Err, can't leave, right.]

[ Dion catches sight of the tense posture, but when Scott appears to relax, it seems he needn't intervene. That leaves only the two chocobos before him. They finish consuming their greens with gusto and prod at him for more with their beaks, gentle bumping that does him no harm.

He pats the birds with an apologetic smile. ]

I'm afraid that is all I have at the moment.

[ Dion speaks softly, and the birds appear to understand, leaning back to preen themselves. Rather, he's certain they noticed the absence of scent that might indicate further gysahl greens on his person. He cautiously steps around them and the chocobos pause to peer after him as he approaches the gift.

He scoops the box up just before one of the birds trots after him, unhurried and curious. Dion is quick to hold the parcel up for Scott to see. Target secured. ]

[With his own supply of greens dwindling before fully being consumed, Scott can't help but pout just a little as the chocobos suddenly lose interest in him. No food, no reason to stay!! They trot back to the join the others back in their original spot, the teen watching them for a moment with that same put out expression. Man, they're really fickle creatures, huh?

But oh, the other guy's back, and he's holding the secured prize up for Scott to see. Right, the thing they were going for this entire time. He hasn't forgotten at all.]

Cool. Mission success. [High five!! Scott will raise a hand to Dion, as if expecting the older man to get what he's trying to do. He might have temporarily forgotten about him being from a fantasy era...]

[ Dion eyes the raised hand, mirrors the gesture, and... Watches Scott curiously. Is this the custom where Scott is from, the raising of hands? He supposes it's not far departed from soldiers throwing fists skyward after a hard-won battle, just a little different. Surely the spirit remains the same.

Good work, Scott. Dion lets his hand drop after a few lingering moments. ]

Would you care to see what the box contains?

[ He offers the box to Scott immediately thereafter, as though the answer is a foregone conclusion. The box may hold something meaningful for someone in this place, or nondescript goods, but they know not until the gift ia unwrapped. ]

[That wasn't awkward or anything at all..... they'll work on that in the future. It feels too weird to bring it up now! Scott's at least figured out that Dion was just unaccustomed to the gesture rather than anything else, because he still seems pleased in that quiet way. It's not about hating high fives. Right. Cough. Yeah, they'll get there at some point.

Though he is a little surprised when Dion offers the box over to him. Scott tilts his head, eyes gazing up at the older man with a questioning look.]

Yeah, but I thought you wanted to open it. [...] You spotted it first and came up with the plan.

[ Dion shrugs. The box remains right where it is. ]

It matters not who opens it, but there is a chance of it being something you recognize.

[ As for Dion, he had already come across an item of personal relevance, though it hadn't been his motivation for seeking out these boxes. If they belonged to someone, it was only right that he try to place them in the right hands.

From what he has observed, such objects are singular, besides. If that truly is the case, the contents of the box they retrieved could belong to someone else or Scott himself. ]

Is that not reason enough?

Edited 2025-05-17 04:25 (UTC)

[He looks over at Dion's serious but somehow earnest expression and something in the young mutant relents, because he takes the offered box from him. Alright alright, he has a point? Yeah, something like that. Scott holds it in front of him for a second, not quite debating on whether or not he wants to open it, but thinking of what possible item could be in here. It would be neat if it was something from home.

Although...

Scott looks up at Dion with a questioning look, like he wants to ask him this one thing before he starts opening the present.]

It also could be something you recognize too, right? Maybe we can hope it's for either one of us. [...] What would you want?

[ Dion opens his mouth to say he has already found something familiar, but he pauses for a moment. He has no way of knowing whether such objects are singular. Perhaps more than one exists that individuals might recognize. If that were the case, and he cannot prove otherwise, then Scott's question isn't one he should so simply rebuff. ]

I fear it would be avaricious to expect more, when I found something a friend once tried to give me already.

[ He acknowledges this, because it only seems right to disclose the fact. ]

Were there more than one such item... Perhaps a book from home.

[ What he already has is more than enough though. He'd never imagined he'd see that flower here. ]

What would you wish for?

[Oh, so he's already found something that belongs to him... that's cool. Well, guess in that case, Scott feels a little less shy about opening the box that's still resting in his hands. What does he hope for though? Maybe a walkman? A cassette? Guess that would be the nicest thing. New pair of headphones, though he'd want said walkman first.

Keys to a motorcycle-- hah. Okay, that's hoping for too much.]

A music player. [Probably best to say something like that, because he's not sure if Dion knows what a walkman is. He's still giving off that whole 'fantasy' feeling. One doesn't really forget a halberd as an initial greeting.]

Complete with my favorite songs. I'm sure you haven't heard of Metallica-- just think of heavy metal sounds. [Does that make any sense? Well, if he gets this, then he can show just Dion firsthand.

Although, as he opens the box, it's not a walkman in front of him. It's just a couple bags of Skittles and man. Scott can't hide his disappointment, a sigh leaving the teen.]

Well, at least it's decent candy. [...] Want a piece?

[ Heavy metal sounds. Dion can well imagine these, though what his mind conjures are Mid's large-scale projects and Blackthorne hammering away at the ancient materials she required to be modified just so.

Decidedly, Dion had never considered these particularly melodious beyond a steady rhythm, a chorus of sleep-denying racket.

Candy is a word he understands, however. ]

I may not be familiar. [ He prefaces with this, having seen a few examples of confections he'd be pressed to even guess at the taste of. ] What are they?

Edited 2025-05-24 04:54 (UTC)

Why don't you try some?

[Better to try it firsthand than get him to explain Skittles. Also a lot less work on his end, so even better. Scott opens one of the bags before offering it to Dion with a raised eyebrow, an expectant sort of look on the young mutant.]

Each color actually tastes different, so try a few. Don't like yellow? You might like green.

[He's a red skittle guy himself, but he pretty much likes all of them. Not to mention it's going to be a pain in the ass to discern the different flavors now, since everything is red for him.] Of course, the real way of eating them is pouring like half of the bag in your hand and shoving all of that in your mouth.

[No it's not??????]

[ He takes the offered bag, not one to be impolite, but pauses when Scott elaborates on the candy. Different colors denote different flavors. That makes enough sense to him.

His brow furrows, however, once they arrive at the "proper method" by which to eat the candy. ]

...What purpose do different flavors serve if you're meant to eat them in such a manner?

[ Dion asks, sincere and believing, for why would Scott deceive him? ]

APRIL MINGLE

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