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

[Kirk makes a small nod in agreement]

In many cases, it's adapt or perish.

[Crane has already been musing since before the conversation turned towards adaptation. This man wears a suit that has long reminded him of another vigilante, one who hides his name to preserve his anonymity. That capacity to become more than a person, to become a symbol, to become real.

So naturally he has to test one little variable.]

I see. Then perhaps you might share your name?

[Tell him it's not Batman.]

[There's a short pause as Kirk considers how to reply. The question sounds simple but how he answers it could lead to all kinds of consequences.

Back in his world, Kirk has long abandoned the idea of keeping a secret identity. With the way he and the rest of the Justice League work, there isn't a point and it's quite possible this Arkham doctor has a Batman in his world. With pointy ears on the helmet, a mostly dark suit, and a pair of red goggles to contrast with his deathly white skin, Kirk is aware of how unsubtle his costume is.

And then there was the fact that they were in a multiverse hub of some kind. Arkham could possibly be a facility in the doctor's world that doesn't have the same grim reputation it has in Kirk's world. But that's only a maybe.

Then there was also the so-called BatFamily to deal with. Maybe they know something about this doctor that he doesn't]

It depends on which name. Does your Gotham have a connection to bats?

[The monotone Kirk has been using for their entire conversation remains for now. He's cautious but doesn't see the need to be aggressive for now]

[Evasive. Noncompliant. But the need to categorise and control this man has not reached an appropriate level for action. Crane hardly needs imagine one name: the alias that is whispered and passed along the grapevine. His mind can connect the dots and so that name is less interesting than another - the one so poorly hidden.]

Just the one. And which one should be obvious for a man such as you.

[The monotone he hears is matched by a calm and analytical tone of his own. But beneath it all, within his expression and words, is a dry and deadpan impression one cannot fail to miss. Someone is not a fan.]

Edited 2025-05-02 04:55 (UTC)

[Interesting response… So the man isn’t a fan of the BatFamily?]

As we’ve talked about before, Gotham seems to attract eccentrics and nonconformists. One could make the argument that I’m both.

[Or worse than that]

Kirk Langstrom is the other name if you prefer.

[Kirk can only be so secretive for so long in Etraya. It’s a painful lesson he’s learned from the last mission]

[Crane gently raises a brow. The costume has already suggested this man has passed the point of being eccentric, not to mention is the opposite of a passive nonconformist. But where one might expect him to judge, he doesn't.]

Call me Doctor Crane. Or Jonathan if you prefer.

[His words are a deliberate mirror. First names are something he rarely indulges in - or uses at all - but they can breed familiarity and thus affability. Still, as much as his face wears the mask well, he cannot hide that awkward glance that suggests he is the opposite of a fan of social pleasantries. Or just plain socialising.]

[For a moment Kirk thinks about how rare it is for him to use the doctor title. The vampirism came shortly after he graduated with a doctorate so he almost never has the right opportunity to introduce himself in the way Dr. Crane does]

What do you think of your time here so far, doctor?

I consider it eventful - you have been here longer than I so perhaps you may disagree.

[The thought gives him pause.]

Is an event even surprising when it is expected, doctor? When it is routine?

[Kirk’s neutral expression remains but he’s surprised by how Crane addresses him. How long has it been since anyone did that to him? Though Kirk doesn’t know if Crane is being genuine or just trying to do basic polite conversation]

Cliched as it sounds, part of this place seems to run on the expecting the unexpected. So-called missions are about a monthly occurrence but what the missions could be seem to vary.

A routine suggests knowing what will happen but if you’re anticipating only that something will happen but not the exact details, then that is the routine.

[What does addressing this man by his title bring him? Respectability. People tend to favour a polite conversation over an impolite one. But he should be addressed respectfully in turn - and indeed has been. Not that being addressed by his title is anything less than he deserves.]

A predictable model partnered with a cognitive schema. Procedural memory and predictive coding...

[He categorises what Kirk is saying using the language of psychology and psychiatry. A language he is so intimately familiar with it might as well be his mother tongue.]

[The language is technical and without emotion. It's precisely what Kirk is used to and has used as well. Science was all about trying to clear through the muddle and bring to light facts. Emotions just makes the observations messier to interpret]

Precisely. And with that predictability comes comfort or boredom, depending on what it is and what the person is like.

The unpredictable element of life.

[Chemistry jokes! But Crane is entirely serious.]

Well, this has been a rather pleasant conversation, but I am afraid time has demands.

[Even in Etraya, where they have all the time in the world. Between missions of course.]

[Kirk nods. He's not entirely sure yet if Dr. Crane is an ally or an enemy for now but their conversation has been interesting at least. He wouldn't be against talking with him again if the opportunity comes up]

It was a pleasure to speak with you too, Dr. Crane.

APRIL MINGLE

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