APRIL MINGLE

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[welcome_summer]

Could well be. I've seen the green ones in trees, and the blue ones playing in the water. Yellows aren't that invested in either of those; however, they have the numbers to be wherever they want.

[She watches the chocobo consider the greens in Vander's hand, willing to let things play out for now. She had only had passing experience with the odd cart chocobo she had rented to help pick up library deliveries once in a while, and the help she had offered in the barn in return. Not even riding experience, really. But it was a solid enough knowledge base to start on.]

The parents are very watchful; I imagine if they've been charmed first, they might allow their chicks to approach. [She huffs a laugh.] It might have to be a whole- flock-or-none effort; that'd sure take a pretty large bag!

[cantilevers]

You don't say? I wonder if that's strange that specific colours indicate where they are most likely to be found.

[He was still offering out the greenery, not convinced that he was doing enough to appear welcoming and inoffensive to the bird. He was curious of them, and there were enough of them about that it seemed worthwhile to give this a shot.]

The chicks are rather adorable. I can see why they are protective. Parental instinct and all that. Think people are going to try to keep a flock around these parts?

[welcome_summer]

It could be their camouflage, although that raises the question of what in their home is big enough to hunt them.

[Mayuko looks from Vander to the assorted chocobos. With the greens at hand, there should be some proverbial nibbles at the bait. Is it Vander's height that's intimidating them, she wonders. They would view it as protection once they trusted him; for the moment it could be making them wary.

She steps up to Vander's side, reaches into her bag to tear some gysahl leaves free, and tosses them ahead. One close to the two of them, one closer to the birds. Maybe they'll notice Vander has a handful waiting for them if they investigate this first??]

Oh, with these cabbages around, it's only a matter of time before we see tame birds trailing after people. Training them to rider or cart, especially doing it with care, will take more effort.

[cantilevers]

Whatever hunts them must be big, fast and strong to bring one down, and I expected probably in packs.

[Even when Vander was shrimping his shoulders forward to appear smaller, he still was a large man. Of course, it seemed that his normal charms on people did not exactly translate over to enticing a giant bird to take a green from his hand. This was what he earned for never having anything that could be considered a pet for long, right?

He watched her actions, peering over at the fallen tossed green as if it might root itself right then and there. One of the birds warbles in uncertainty but stepped forward to investigate her offering cautiously. Should he throw his too? No, not yet.]

I wouldn't even know where to begin taming one. They would be invaluable of course and give people something to focus on between those missions.

[welcome_summer]

Let's hope Aurora leaves those at home.

[Mayuko also holds off on throwing more leaves down. The chocobo can take its investigation at its own pace.]

I'm not sure how to go about it, myself. Cloud seems to know the most about them, by his message earlier. Hoping to pick up some tips from him. I'm hesitant to get beyond the "give them greens and spend time with them" phase until I've got a way to whistle for them. They don't exactly fit in the regular housing, you know?

[She would like for hers to stay nearby, once their bond grows. But she'd hate to cut them off from ranging freely. A dilemma that is tempting her to purchase a cabin and set it near a stretch of forestland. As if there wasn't enough on her to-buy list already.]

[cantilevers]

That would be a benefit, though... are their actually many big predators in this place?

[Aside from walking from place-to-place, Vander wasn't exactly the type of person to spend a lot of time in open nature like this. He was far too used to the oppressive dark of the under ground with its maze of tunnels and claustrophobic spaces.

He'd also not spent much, if any, time luring a bird to take a meal from his hand. This was all novel, and he was enjoying it.]

Yeah, I saw his post. They don't exactly seem like they would willingly go into the elevator or walk the stairs to live in someone's apartment or mansion. They seem like the stable sort.

[He was having a hard time deciding if he could manage to earn the trust of a bird in the first place, let alone what he might do with it afterwards. Maybe visit while it ran around? He thought he would have better luck with a chick, but he wasn't willing to deny anyone the role of parent for his own selfish whims.]

What colour did you manage to make friends with?

[welcome_summer]

I couldn't say if there were--the last missions have had me running to shelter as soon as we touched down. These guys are giving me the motivation to see what's out beyond the trolley tracks.

[It beat being terrified of what could come next. Or shunning the community in paranoia. Wandering in search of the wildlife, checking out the different islands of Etraya--there was a peaceful sort of solitude in that. But also so much to learn about and share.]

We were talking before, a little, about the buildings and such people would buy. Something like stabling wouldn't be bad; even just an outpost and pasturage would work, considering these are free-range animals. The more we hem them in, the more responsible for providing feed and other management we become. And our resources are still at risk.

[Mayuko removes the partially-stripped gysahl from her bag. There are a few more outer leaves that can be torn off, leaving a turnip-looking base and a pungent scent.]

Phew... what color did I find? There were some green ones by the bookstore on the red trolley line. They like to roost in the trees around there; it's quite something to see them clamber up!