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

[hyphanated]

[Oh! A....he's not sure what that is, actually!

An Zhe blinks down at him, then looks around at the birds, who seem to have also turned wary gazes on the creature on the forest floor.]

I'm alright...I'm not sure how to get down though.

[He's not exactly good at raising his voice, but luckily the birds aren't being particularly noisy right now, either.]

[manifesthope]

[Silver smiled up at the fellow up in the tree. He didn't make any sudden moves, recognizing that the birds up in the tree were skittish at his presence. He didn't really look intimidating due to his three and a half foot height, but he knew that he looked different than a lot of the beings here (at least that he'd seen so far). That in itself could be scary to some.]

Oh! If you're stuck or want to get down, I can help you with that if you like! [Silver wouldn't feel right if he just kept going on his way and just leave the guy up there. He figured he'd ask if he needed help first. The hedgehog turned his attention to the nervous looking birds in the trees.] It's okay, I'm not going to hurt any of you, I promise. [He didn't know if the birds would understand him or not, but he at least tried to show in body language and tone, that he was safe.]

[hyphanated]

[It's hard to accurately judge the stranger's height from atop a tree, but even putting that aside, it's hard to figure out how the guy's going to get him down from up here. Still, An Zhe nods, unsure what expression to use in this moment.]

Can you? That would be a lot of help.

[Everyone's got all sorts of abilities around here—maybe his savior can fly? Or stretch? Or jump really high? One of the birds offers him another bite of greens, distracting his attention momentarily as he politely accepts it.] They're very nice birds...I'd very much like to go home though, eventually.

[manifesthope]

Yeah!! Here I'll show you.

[A shimmering cyan aura appeared around the hedgehog's body as Silver used his psychokinesis to lift himself into the air and hover. He didn't rise into the trees just yet, not wanting to startle the (so far) friendly birds and possibly risk the fellow in the tree.] I'm a psychokinetic. I can use my mind to move stuff. Including us!

I'm Silver by the way, what's your name?

[hyphanated]

[Oh...he's floating? He's glowing and floating? An Zhe has never heard of the word "psychokinetic" before, and diligently makes a mental note of the new vocab word as he stares wide-eyed at the floating creature.]

...I'm An Zhe. Can you move a lot of things with your...with your mind? I won't be too heavy?

[Not that he's a heavy guy, but!]

[manifesthope]

[Seeing that the birds weren't freaking out, Silver slowly floated up until he was level with the branch that An Zhe was sitting on. The hedgehog casually shifted to sit cross legged like he was simply lounging on a chair instead of floating several feet up.]

Nice to meet you An Zhe!

[He grinned, giving a thumbs up.] Oh yeah, it will be easy! I'm pretty sure I can lift several tons at least, so you'll be no problem.

I know it can be a little weird if you've never seen this before. I can hold on to you or hold your hand so you aren't just...suspended in open space if you prefer! [His cheerful tones were non-judgmental and kind.] You won't fall. I promise!

[hyphanated]

[It seems An Zhe's going to be wide-eyed for a while longer. Several tons? And here he'd probably struggle to lift 20 pounds...]

...I... [He almost says he doesn't need any handholding, but Silver seems so genuine about it, he can't help feeling like it's okay to give in just a bit.] I'd appreciate it, if you could hold onto me. I've never been suspended in space before.

[manifesthope]

[Silver nodded in understanding and straightened to 'stand' in mid-air before floating over slowly to the tree branch that An Zhe was perched on. Then he held out both gloved hands.]

Okay An Zhe. Take my hands, and I'll take care of the rest. Just don't look down and focus on my face. It'll be alright, I promise. [His gold eyes were bright and friendly, and his hands would be warm if taken. His pale body shimmered with a cyan colored aura. The same color glowed on the circular patterns on his gloves and around the cuffs on his wrists.

Back in his own world, Silver had experience helping survivors during the war and after during the restoration. This included helping kids or their families that were trapped in destroyed buildings among other things. So that definitely helped with this situation. Not that he thought of An Zhe as a child, or treated him as such, but the hedgehog was just as gentle.]

[hyphanated]

Okay.

[Honestly, a lot of people treated An Zhe as a child back in his world, so it wouldn't be entirely surprising...as it is, though, he takes Silver's hands, obediently focusing on his face, while the chocobos around him rustle their feathers and wark curiously at the pair.]

[manifesthope]

There we go!

[Silver's tones were friendly and encouraging as his hands grasped An Zhe's. The glowing cyan aura surrounding his body rippled and moved to include the boy in its glow as it swirled over him. The air within it felt warm and tingly as the density and pressure of the air changed. But it didn't hurt nor was it uncomfortable.]

Okay, now all you need to do, is stand up! I got you. [An Zhe would be fully supported by him now if he stood up in mid-air off the tree branch. Silver figured this might be better than just lifting him off the branch himself. Sometimes folks liked that level of autonomy and control.]

[hyphanated]

[Being surrounded by this warm, glowing aura is a rather strange sensation; An Zhe can't help but wonder if the aurora would feel like that, if he could touch it.

He nods, slowly standing up, but can't help closing his eyes as he takes that first step off the branch—hopefully in time to dodge the one chocobo that decided to try grabbing at the back of his shirt.]

[manifesthope]

[Silver can't help but smile as An Zhe stands off the branch and takes a step into empty air. The hedgehog keeps a hold onto his hands. He looks over at the green bird that had tried to grab his shirt.]

It's okay! I won't let him fall, see? [He cooed to the birds gently in soothing tones.] When you are ready An Zhe, I'll lower us slowly to the ground.

[hyphanated]

Mn...I'm ready.

[As ready as he can be, anyway...An Zhe can't help staring down at the ground below while the chocobos voice complaints behind him. The one who'd grabbed him reluctantly lets go, at least, as they watch the two float in the air.]

[manifesthope]

[With more soothing words to the chocobo's, Silver waited until the one let go of An Zhe's shirt before he slowly started lowering them both to ground level. He didn't do so very fast, so that it wouldn't be so jarring to the first time passenger.

Once their feet touched the ground, the cyan glow around the pair dissipated and Silver grinned. He let go of the boy's hands after giving them a squeeze.]

There we go! Back to earth. [He spread his hands in an almost 'ta daa' gesture.] Were you heading somewhere? I'm one of the new arrivals here, but I don't mind going with you. Just in case that red fire bird I heard about is lurking around.

[hyphanated]

[This is the smoothest jump he's ever had to do...though considering his previous experience involved riding on the back of a human man jumping out of a second floor window, maybe it's kind of an unfair comparison?

Still! An Zhe looks at Silver's tadah gesture, then down at his own feet on the ground, then finally relaxes that last little bit he hadn't realized was still tensed.]

I was just taking a walk when I met those birds, and— [Wait.] Fire bird?

[manifesthope]

Yeah! Like those ones. [Silver pointed up into the tree branches were the Green birds were.] Except it's red. From what I've heard it's got fire powers and it can be hostile. [He shrugged a little.] Though you know how rumors go. Sometimes it can be exaggerated.

So I don't mind walking with you to where you want to go! Just in case the rumors are true!

Have you been here in Etraya long? I only just arrived myself so I'm still getting used to the place.

[hyphanated]

Fire powers...

[He's never heard of a bird like that before, but on the other hand, considering all the different kinds of people he's seen since arriving here...maybe it's not so strange?]

Then, if you could go with me to the nearest trolley, I think I could get home from there. [Not knowing the trolley line is broken...] I've been here a few months now though, so if you want, I could guide you around instead?

[manifesthope]

Nearest trolley? Okay!

[Silver tapped at his ear piece so that he could bring up the map; still unfamiliar with the area in general. Just so he could get an idea which direction to go in to get to the nearest part of the trolley line. Something An Zhe said though caught his attention and he looked over.]

Oh! You've been here a while? I mean...sure! I don't mind getting shown around! Only if you weren't busy off doing something else that is... [He grinned, finding the direction to go in on the map and beckoning An Zhe to follow as he turned to head down the wooded path.] This place seems pretty big. I'm sure glad there's a map thingy on this ear piece. I've been flying around the area where the hospital and central part of town seem to be.

From what I've seen this place seems beautiful! [For a newcomer, he didn't seem too disturbed at being suddenly somewhere else.]

[hyphanated]

[An Zhe shakes his head at the mention of him being busy, following slightly behind Silver.]

I don't need to earn money here, so I have a lot of free time. It really is a nice place though, isn't it? With all this greenery...most of the people I've met have been kind, too.