etrayalogs | 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

[ don't get arrogant, it is shadow who is killing what's coming around. he makes this known when another bot comes too close to knife's body, could have hit them, but was simply an inch off from knocking into them.

his ears twitch at the response from aurora, the chaos spear comes slicing out of one of the companion bots as shadow frowns. another one tumbles into the crater, and shadow rolls his eyes.

stopping, his eyes turn to the other down in the center of the creator that's opening the companion bots. whether they understand what they're looking at is unknown to him, but they aren't as chatty as sonic's fox who would probably run at the mouth about what they see. ]

Shut the f-- [they huff, poking at their earpiece until it stops making noise, grumbling.] Annoying...

[expletives aside, Knife's never been one to talk to themself aloud if there's people around, especially with their gift for altering their voice. instead they idly gnaw on their tongue while plucking wires or replacing them to see what effect they do or don't have before wholesale removing a bunch in their way.

into a pocket they go! who knows what they could be useful for later.

no glass lenses in here...and they have no idea what a circuitboard is for, so prying one of those out is like pulling an alien wafer out. they turn it around in their hand, even sniff it, almost compelled to bite it (they resist...somehow), and then just pocket that, too. waste not, want not.]

This looks more familiar...

[when they've finished gutting a torso, they move onto a severed head, prying the glass panel off and finding the lenses used for sensors and visual input.

...why the fuck they look like eyes? that's creepy. whoever made these little freaks is a little freak themself, Knife supposes.

these remind them enough of the floating cameras Kaeya pointed out on Aphasia that they must be related, but it creeps Knife out how small they are. They could shove these fuckin' in just about any nook or cranny and nobody'd notice!

Well, I'm gonna fuckin' notice now, goddammit.

they clink the pair of camera lenses in their open palm, clicking their tongue while they think. hard to tell if they're enchanted or not, and mister prickles over there isn't a diviner...

Knife sighs and risks blowing a bit of magic just for the security: briefly, their eyes and palms glow, then flicker out like a switch was flicked. they stay still for a beat longer, watching for changes, then exhale in a huff.

If it was magically rigged, isn't anymore. If it wasn't, well, egg on my face, I guess.

...I could go for some eggs. Fuck. I'm so hungry...]

You got good memory or need a reminder? [they get up from their work, holding out one of the lenses between finger and thumb out for Shadow to see.] Take it if you need it; you see somethin' like this glinting atcha, get rid of it.

[ now when shadow thought the other would find something interesting like a USB or a way to tap into the bot so that it can give them information on aurora in general, he's given a tiny lens.

...

the hedgehog's ears twitch just a bit, eyes closing as he tries to keep his calm, don't tell him he's wasted his time. then again, is it a waste when it's someone else's excellent find, they seem to be interested in just this piece. ]

...

[ as quiet as he is, the hedgehog's spear flickers away, energy no longer used to make a weapon and instead looks at what's left on the ground then to the other. ]

You'll need it.

[ he expected that the other would be able to find data, but if their knowledge is dated, then it's something they'll have to learn. ]

Take one and try to understand the body inside and out. It'll work to your advantage.

Not gonna narc on me if anyone asks about all this? [they gesture, eyebrow cocked.]

You are a fool. Do as I say.

[ it comes off as don't ask stupid questions that they know the answer to. ]

Find information, and relay to me in three days.

[ because his time will not be wasted. ]

[dry:] You're a jerk. Find me if you want for a chat, see if I care! [there's a compulsion to stick their tongue out, but they fight it. so mature, this kitsune.

Whatever! they pocket the lenses before turning to pack up the rest of one of the felled bots, yanking excess fabric out of their overstuffed coat and pants that they can wrap up pieces, stow the smaller stuff, and make a sling to heft the bigger bits.

it's easy enough to heft, still able to access the same amount of strength they have at their average height, but that doesn't make it fun. this isn't fun! but whatever, they'll do it anyway because aside from scrounging for food and shelter, what the fuck else are they gonna do?]

Don't have too much fun in the meanwhile.

Where do you reside?

[ because truthfully, antigone could probably not find shadow with how often he moves around.

he can meet their part of the agreement and find them if it matters. from what skills they have displayed so far, he shouldn't count on them to be extraordinary physically, maybe they are more astounding mentally.

if shadow can gain intel through their "smarts" then it might be worth it, but how far do their smarts go... ]

[airily:] Who knows!

[they sure don't. not yet. no fuckin' way is Knife going to be laying their head down in some prescribed building so close to other weirdos. safety in numbers hadn't applied before, it sure wasn't going to apply right now.]

You're probably smart enough to spot little me around this near-empty city full of taller weirdos, right? [they knot the makeshift sling over their chest, adjusting the load at their shoulder before turning around, shrugging.]

I'll be around. Unless I'm not, in which case, I mean... [beat. shrug, again:] Guess I'd be dead or something, right?

[ shadow could find them easily, the only caveat is that he doesn't know that he has to wait for knife to take that form. if they take too long and shadow doesn't find them on the third day, they should pray shadow doesn't find them at all. ]

Insufferable, if you wish to die so badly, I'll do it for you.

[ with as much as they speak about dying, then shadow can put them out of their misery. ]

[they roll their eyes and look over their shoulder back at him.] Talkin' about the odds doesn't mean I wanna play them, you know! I'm in no hurry to croak, okay?

Only fools would subject themselves to the unfortunate odds.

[ and shadow only plays to win if that wasn't obvious, but they won't keep the other from leaving. this is progress in a way if there's anything that can be found within those robots, he'll be able to learn if antigone is capable of doing so. ]

Three days.

Yeah, yeah! Later, Sparkles. [they're in no hurry to meet him again, especially if there are any large projectiles or animals within reach, okay? but fate* will dictate those odds.

time to go find some secure location - a bridge, somewhere estranged from all the busier establishments, stuff like that...

sigh. things were easier when they had trusted free housing.]

(*me. i'm fate. i dictate that i want more threads. BECAUSE IT'S GOOD CR)

APRIL MINGLE

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