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

[copsormasks]

Of course it's you. [Jason rolls his eyes to heaven.] Why can't you just leave me alone!

[leastdramatic]

[Dryly]

You seriously asking that knowing what we all do?

[copsormasks]

That’s what you do. Not me. [Jason crosses his arms. After all, he’s fired.]

[leastdramatic]

[Jason shrugs]

Old habits, etc etc. You know the others are gonna find you eventually, right?

[copsormasks]

Why can’t anyone catch a clue and leave me alone? I’m tired of this bullshit.

[And he’s only been here, at tops, a week. Still, Jason is clearly frustrated, verging on emotional.]

Just go away!

[leastdramatic]

[There's pause as Jason considers how to reply. The kneejerk response would be something along the lines of "because they're all about bunch of caring snoops and you need to calm the hell down."

But Jason hasn't forgotten how he used to be as a teenager. Temperamental and stubborn as hell. Plus, that anger wasn't completely unwarranted. He wonders how badly the Bruce in younger Jason's world treated his son.

So he reels back the urge to yell back]

You know as well as I do that keeping track of everything is something we all do. Detailing, constant vigilance, contingency plans. All that shit.

[And he's assuming at least some of the others have already met the teenager]

As long as we're all stuck here, it's better to cooperate than going rogue. You don't know what might happen or who might show up. Apparently, Scarecrow's around too.

[copsormasks]

[Jason is trying to hide his face by turning to the side as his emotions well up inside him. He always wanted to be a part of something great, something bigger than himself, but he's been beaten down time and time and time again that he can't accept the possibility any more. He's not a Titan. He's not Robin. He's nothing.

Before he can reply though, the mention of Scarecrow seems to stem the tide of emotion. Jason stands a little straighter and the glimmering of his eyes ceases. That's-- That's who he needs to talk to. He needs to get the fear antidote and then he'll really turn this city on its head.]

Scarecrow? He's here?

[leastdramatic]

[Something about that glint in the teenager's eyes doesn't settle right for Jason]

How many other Arkham shrinks do you know who like to talk about fear?

[copsormasks]

[Jason's eyes flick back and forth as his brain works through the process of finding Scarecrow, convincing him to work on the fear antidote again, and then showing every one of these masks exactly what kind of Robin he could be.]

He's here? [Just to double-check.]

[leastdramatic]

[Oh this really doesn't feel right...]

We didn't exactly have a cuppa together but yeah.

[copsormasks]

[Well that certainly tables the turns. Jason starts to perk up. He's got a plan. He's got things to do and the first of which is to find Scarecrow.

His gaze flicks back to the older Jason, that charge and emotion gone from his face.]

I mean, who does have a cup of anything with Crane?

[He does, Jason does.]

[leastdramatic]

[Dryly]

Maybe some of Arkham's other finest residents.

[Jason can't shake off the feeling something's about to go down]

What're you planning?

[copsormasks]

[Jason's not in Arkham (yet), but he certainly drank several cups with Crane.]

Nothing, just curious. [Jason is a remarkably terrible liar.]

[leastdramatic]

[Yep, and older Jason can read him]

Sure and I'm a little boy scout.

[copsormasks]

I'm not judging. [All that heat and anger from before has dropped into a quiet confidence, changing the way Jason talks, the way he stands. He's definitely going to seek out Crane and his closest opportunity.]

[leastdramatic]

Why the hell do you wanna go to him?

[Not that Jason's really expecting a straightforward answer]

[copsormasks]

I never said I would. [Jason shakes his head before pocketing his hands. He leans forward just a touch, clearly eager if not excited.]

[leastdramatic]

No but it's pretty obvious all over your face.

[Jason almost wants to say that if the kid's going to lie then at least he should hide it better]

[copsormasks]

[Jason scoffs and shrugs his shoulders.] And what if I do? Not any of your business.

[leastdramatic]

[Jason can feel his patience getting tested already]

Did you not catch the part where snooping is a way of life for all of us now?Especially now that we know he's here too?

[copsormasks]

Can't you be the one cool person who lets this shit slide?

[Looking deeply unimpressed.]

[leastdramatic]

[Meanwhile, Jason's temper is getting shorter]

No because I've done this kind of dumb shit before. Why do you think I'm warning you?

[copsormasks]

Because you're just like Dick and you hate any time I do anything.

[Getting ready to walk off again.]

[leastdramatic]

[Ill-tempered, irrational, and contrarian. Not for the first time Jason wonders if this is how others saw him when he was a teenager]

Alright, fine. What can you possibly offer him in exchange for his so-called help? What's to stop him from not secretly turning you into a new guinea pig?

[copsormasks]

Who the fuck even cares? I get what I want, he gets what he wants. It's real fucking simple.

[Cue dramatic teenager walk off!]