etrayalogs | APRIL MINGLE

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

[He wishes they would fight back, because them refusing to only angers him further. Like he's just being toyed with. Not taken seriously by the other again. He felt a sudden tug and their heads colliding. The force is enough to make his head spin and nearly have an out of body experience. It's enough to allow the other to push him off. A head pressed against his head as pushes himself to sit back up. His vision is blurred, but he keeps glaring in the direction of where the other is. The strike at least stops him from going a gazillion miles an hour and start to process what the other is actually saying.

They are...acknowledging what they did, what they didn't do.

He was never given a chance to explain himself. Wasn't given a chance to understand. Even with Maria's intervention, the other's mind was already set on what they thought he was. So he did the same to them.

He might have had a glimpse of what the other must have experienced at the colosseum, but still...Bitterly.] I didn't want it to be. [Are they really that surprised things turned out this way? With their behavior towards him?]

[ he is not surprised, he didn't know the other's circumstances. shadow faces what's before him like everything else, he remains suspicious and wary, but to meet someone with his face? how is he to trust that, he knew what he knew, but not what the other knew. how he saw things? that didn't matter to shadow, but he knows that he didn't give the other a chance to strike.

he didn't give the other a chance to even attempt.

shadow's good at that, cutting off advances, backing individuals into a corner, looking down on them. he knows actually what he did to the other. ]

I didn't trust you.

[ how could he? he's not asking for forgiveness, why would he do that when he knows what he did? ] I didn't know who "you" were, I knew what I thought of you.

[ he still doesn't know who they are, but one thing's for certain. ]

From her perspective, this isn't you either.

[ and how is he to know who "they" are? not his place at this point anymore, the amount of attempts to get rid of him has been met with realization or interruption.

they learn what they see, but they fail upon execution and try again. ]

Tch. Show me who you are. I'm not moving.

[ the unfortunate fate that he too has taken part in once before, but not like this. those replicas didn't feel pain, didn't bleed, nor could relate to him. this hedgehog won't be able to find himself out unless he can clear this fog before his eyes.

a hand comes to his own chest as he stands properly. ]

Again, I am your target.

[Quite the contrast when this one would rather avoid initiating unless forced. It's only been with the other that he felt compelled to take action before they do. For obvious reasons. Why is that? What else have they gone through to be who they are? ...Did he want to know, after everything he's seen and experienced?

Doesn't trust him, yet that's not what he was seeking. That be demanding a lot from a Shadow. He wanted something that wasn't fighting, or an immediate attempt at taking his life at least. Even as they say that, they left him with the one person the other would do anything to keep her safe. She believed he's not like this, the other says, but not how they feel. Even he thinks her faith is misplaced. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the chocobo that had initially led the other here, hovering over their beaten comrade. Hardly recognizable anymore. Why do Marias carry such confidence they know who a Shadow is, when he hardly knows what that means. Only that pain and death follows him.

The other tells him to show who he is. No retaliation, no insults. They stand ready for him, whatever may come of this. But there is a problem. The overflow of energy from him starts to calm, the intensity from him feeling less than before. Coming at them isn't going to give that answer. They tell him to show who he is...well, if they really mean that, if they're ready to listen then...]

...I don't know. [He has no answer to give. He moves to stand along with the other, unable to look directly at them. The urge to fight slowly going away. That was never what he wanted when he first saw the other with his face.] I was trying to find out.

[ he's unable to help them. he cannot help them figure out who they are if they haven't learned yet. if that's the case, then whatever route the other has chose hasn't picked up the pieces. the truth? or the lies? from the way they sounds, from how their energy begins to fizzle out to show shadow he's found some topic to sway their anger, he wonders if they'll snap again despite calming down.

or maybe they're concerned about who they are and having an answer. ]

...

[ he watches them with a trained eye, waiting for if they'll strike, but they stand there still. they just don't know.

they really don't know.

one brow lifts unsure what to make of this. he didn't expect to be standing as long as he has, he thought they would take advantage of this, direct their anger towards something. they don't. in return, the hedgehog crosses his arms waiting for the other to continue speaking. it shows that they have his attention, that if they have anything else to say they can say it. ]

[It's been eating at him since the day he awoke on earth. Who is he, and where did he come from? Why does he have all these powers that could easily take out anything on Earth? Even here. It hasn't been at the forefront of his mind, with the whole seeking misplaced revenge, fixing the mess he created and suddenly being thrown in, whatever all of this is. Being presented with essentially another reflection of himself, so prone to violence has gotten him wandering back to who he is. The other's words managing to hit those uncertainties again. Fighting is no longer what he wants while the other allows him the floor. Only a few stray sparks remain coming off his body.]

I thought...before I learned who you were, I thought you were someone who came from the same planet as me. No one could tell me where I came from and...for some time, there was no one else like me on Earth. [Until he met Sonic, but...even he doesn't feel they are quite the same. He clenches his fists.]

Why can I do the things that I can? For what purpose? [Questions he knows the other may not answer for him, but they are things that trouble his mind. Especially when they've been utilitzed for destructive means. Seems to be the same for the other, but it doesn't bother them as much.]

[ maria said things, that's what that means. what she said, he doesn't need to linger on because this is about them and not him. if shadow uses his own background, there's only so many moments where the truth was before his eyes only to be taken away. he mentions something curious though, something about a planet, and that concern reignites itself, but he doesn't act out.

he stays in place, watching, waiting. ]

...

[ their life is a little different, it doesn't follow the same rules that shadow knows (but they're not really rules, per se). if he attempts to fill in a gap, it doesn't work properly because what the other says counteracts that. one step at a time.

he wants to ask: "how do you know you're from a planet?" initially that stands out to him. there are reasons why he would ask, why he has to hold himself back from striking the other on impulse. he doesn't dare try and see if there's a connection, he won't tap into that side of himself.

shadow lingers on the new questions. ]

Are you or are you not "The Ultimate Lifeform"?

[One of his ears twitch at the question. A troubled expression on his face.]

The humans started calling me that after they saw what I could do and provide for humanity. Limitless possibilities and application using chaos energy. [He doesn't sound proud of the title, or what they were doing. There is bitterness in his voice. The things they had him do, it made him feel uneasy knowing he had a hand in it. All he ultimately did was cause pain, death, destruction. A tool toward these things. Inevitably leading to...]

...It must mean something different for you. [Just from what he knows and has gathered. The title must not hold the same resentment he feels for it to them.]

[ it does, it means something to him because of what he was to achieve, what he can achieve. despite his failures, he's never allowed that title to dirty what greatness he was meant to achieve. ]

I am "The Ultimate Lifeform."

[ the name carries, at least. though, the other doesn't sound as proud as he does, and why is that? ]

If you are able to unravel limitless possibilities, you should be capable of something. "What?" is the question.

[ that's if... they really are the ultimate lifeform, the hedgehog turns, his back facing the other. he takes a few steps forward, growing the distance, but he waits afterwards no different for a child on another world. ]

And the answer is it depends on how you apply it.

[...That's easier for them to declare, when their purpose seem more filled with hope. Created to cure a girl.

...

There's more to it than what their Maria has told him.

He manages to finally look at the other, telling him he is capable. All depending on how he applies it. What...he wants it to be? ...What does he want? These are thoughts he hadn't consider. At least...not since his Maria told him he could be whatever he wants. He watches the other start to move away, but then stop. His ears perk up slightly, confused. Is he expected to follow them?] . . . [He starts to take a few steps towards them, only to stop again as a bird's cry catches his ears. Cries of mourning. The leader had called the herd to join it by their fallen companion. Some still nudging what's left of their own, hoping they would move. Nothing.

Their actions and behavior, how they cry and call for their friend to wake up, causes Shadow to freeze in place. He doesn't have to understand them. It's familiar. This is familiar as well. Like the time before with Tom, and before that with Maria. His breathing gets caught in his throat, the world starts to deafen, his vision getting small. Another life taken unnecessarily. He did it again.]

[ and what's been done is done.

shadow doesn't look back to see whether the other follows, there's no reason as the cries of the birds are by his own actions. what the older hedgehog does is something he must commit too, all he can do is know if his methods should be adjusted or if he made a mistake. he's not against admitting to himself where he wasn't correct, and if need be, he can admit it to others in a way doesn't cause much debate.

he stops, a twitch of his ears, and he stands.

listening. ]

...

[ what can the younger hedgehog even do to fix what he's done. lives wont come back, none of them, that is outside of his control. why he's gotten so sensitive over the blood on his hands is beyond the older hedgehog, and he turns around to finally take a look at what's happening behind him. ]

Hm.

[ he can hear the mourning. that's what happen when someone passes, there's always someone who can grieve. at least they have a body to look at. ]

Nothing will change if you stand in place.

[He tenses, hearing the other speak up. Eyes are still fixated on the scene of the birds.] I... [They're all dead, because of him. Memories start to flood his mind as he grips his head with both his hands. Pain, loss, guilt.]

I can't. It's my fault. It's all my fault they're all gone. [Why couldn't she just open her eyes? Her hand gone cold in his. Why couldn't they all just wake up? Why does he continue to live while others suffer for his continual existence? He shuts his eyes, but still unable to escape, the memories haunting his mind.] Nothings changed.

[ "they're"? his eyes look to the chocobo before returning to them standing there unwilling to move. ]

Hm.

[ these will be constant reminders, the truth of the matter they always will be. whoever is gone may or may not come back.

... ]

They come back. Whether you like it or not.

[ it's the letting go that is the most difficult part. ]

After you decide what to change, in time.

They're dead! She's dead-! [There's no coming back, just constant reminders of his failures, his existence being a curse onto others. Was it different for them? Or had they truly overcome what had happened to their Maria?

He slowly opens his eyes, staring at the ground before him. Ears falling forward. Hands slipping down, gripping his arms as he held himself.]

...She's died, because of what my powers brought. [A name doesn't need to be said. The other already knows. They know and perhaps, that's how he finds himself quietly confiding in his guilt, his fears. Why he can't see what the other does. A way forward from this.]

[ he groans, eyes watching the other reflect while visibly showing their pain. there's nothing he can say because he can't confirm or deny, he wasn't there, he doesn't know. what he knows is what happened during his own past, and even then he was unsure, but the hate in his heart orchestrated by another to guide his path is what helped him before his would started to scab over.

it's not entirely healed, but he knows that it's there. ]

...

[ while they don't have to say a name, it's clear as day, and there's nothing shadow can say to make them feel otherwise. ]

What do you remember of her?

[He's quiet. Question giving him pause. It's hard, to push pass the image of her cold dead body laying on the floor, the distinct smell of burning flesh. Still feels like it only happened yesterday for him. Not fifty years ago. All those precious moments with her, gone. He rubs his arms slightly. Could he speak of her without losing it?]

...She was a kind, warmhearted spirit. A friend. [The only one that even tried to reach him.] Yours reminded me of her in some ways. How she would offer her love unconditionally. Didn't matter who or what I was to her either. She just...treated me like I was another person, and we did things that friends would do together. [Even as it hurts to recall these memories, his expression softens. His happiest days were with her afterall.] I always looked forward to her visits. She made those days at the base more bearable.

Hm.

[ interesting. he doesn't pry, no reason to pry. not his maria, not his life. there are things that stand out, but to pick at these glaring differences will only make him wonder what went wrong. ]

You should keep those thoughts in mind.

[ because there might come a time where those memories are too scattered, it takes one small crack to shatter that happiness, and he'll have no way to pick up the pieces until...

... ]

...

[ their words in some way reminds shadow of things he used to feel, things he would say to her if she was here. it's a vulnerability that the other showcases by being honest, but it's something he knows.

he's felt like this. ]

Use your powers to protect them.

[ he won't ask to know more, he can't know more. ]

...Protect them? [The way he repeats the other, it's clear the concept has never crossed his mind. All his powers have ever done is cause harm. How can it be used to protect anything?

...

No, the earth still exists because he made the choice to save it. Because that was what he could do at the time. His gaze moves towards the sky. It is still daylight, but he knows there are stars up there. Hold onto the love that he shared with her.]

. . . [His ears return to their positions, he arms lower back to their sides. There is still doubt within him, uncertainty that he can change anything. But he can't stay stuck. Time, this world will not wait for him to make a move, so he has to keep going. He lowers his head, hearing a wary chirp. The leader was cautiously walking up to them.

He frowns. He dare not look towards their fallen companion, eyes staying on their leader instead. Usually, they'd lower their head and nudge him, but they remain upright, watching. His gloves are still stained with blood, but he extends his hand towards them anyway. The leader turns their head slightly to look, considering. Not coming forward to accept.]

...I can't stay. [Annoying as they were, neither mind the other's company. At some point, without saying anything they started working together, warning each other when danger was nearby and so forth. Now though, maybe they'll finally understand and leave him alone. He blinks, snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a beak against his hand. It holds for a moment, and then the leader backs away. After looking at the two hedgehogs for a moment, it turns it's back to them, returning to it's herd.]

[ he doesn't understand, maybe that's a good thing, or a bad thing. shadow doesn't say either, instead he turns away with his back towards the hedgehog as he stands there while they swallow down his words. do they understand that these memories can be changed, rearranged, removed and implanted in ways that he'd never feel that sort of comfort or confident in what he knows.

because he doesn't know is why he's unable to understand the weight of these words. ]

...

[ shadow doesn't stay. he doesn't linger on what's been told to him or even use it as an excuse to bring the other along. their life, their choices. they'll have to move eventually in order to do what shadow had advised.

whoever their maria was, whatever she was like, what sort of life they lived. if it was great, if it was something worth cherishing, then they'd know that they have to keep going.

his steps start once more, moving along back into the woods in the direction that he once was before. grass and twigs snap under his footing, it's the only noise that graces his ears, something that prevents him from thinking about what he heard, what he saw. did anything he say mean anything to them? not like they're worthwhile words, but if nothing resonated then this hedgehog's life is drastically different... in a good way, maybe.

as long as they haven't met what he has, then they have a chance. ]

[He'll start to hear another set of footsteps following along behind him. There's nothing left from staying back there, and his way forward is...well, the other has offer in there own way, direction. And so, he chooses to continue with him. Unless that isn't what they wanted.

It's strange. It hasn't been that long when he was avoiding them, constantly berated by the other. Now he's chasing after the other, hoping he'll find his way in doing so.

...No. Even when he didn't want anything to do with the other, he still could never get rid of that constant nagging feeling. How he still gravitated towards them, because he still wished to know who they are. Hoping the next encounter would give him answers.]

[ a lost child.

another. did he want to hear the sound of footsteps behind him, not really, but how slim were the chances of that happening. he said too much, he made it known how perceptive he is of truths that the other doesn't even know could be true. he gave the decision to him initially.

if the other wanted to follow, he could follow. shadow never said not to do so. ]

...

[ he treats the other the same, walking forward without stopping, if he wishes to catch up then he'll have to put effort in himself. his head looks up at the cracks between the trees, the smell of blood still stuck to the fur of the other hedgehog.

advice. ]

That lake from before.

[He is keeping pace with the other without issue, though he's choosing to put some space between them. It's probably better this way, with him not knowing if things could suddenly turn back around.

Lake? He looks at the other's back, puzzled for a moment what they meant by saying that. But then he rememebers after seeing his hand. The smell of blood reaching him after being so caught up with everything else that was happening. His footsteps stop for a moment, looking around.]

It's this way. [He doesn't know if the other knew or not, but he knows their fur got stained with blood as well. He takes a turn, not sure if the other would follow or that was never the intent. Eitherway, a few slow steps as he waits and sees, before he moves at a regular pace.

The clearing where the lake was is quieter today. The blue chocobos that would play in the water are resting at the far shore. No signs of the herd of brown chocobos coming through here, but that's not surprising.]

[ he doesn't move when the other does, rather he stands there waiting for them to pick up the pace in direction. that's when shadow begins to move, following after and it's the sound of twigs cracking under his foot that lets the other know that shadow is there.

it doesn't take long to get to where they need to go.

slowly he comes to a halt outside the bushes, eyes scanning the surrounding plant life trying to find anything that stands out. shadow doesn't say anything as he crouches down to what looks like weeds, his fingers parting a few until he pulls away. slowly his fingers dig into the dirt trying to push away some, it seems that he's trying to uproot a plant that has his attention.

he says nothing to the other hedgehog, allowing him to do what he thinks is right at the moment. ]

[There's a feeling of uneasiness as the other starts to follow him. Force of habit. Probably for the best that his senses aren't numb, even while they're not coming at him right this instant.

He surveys the area for a moment, seeing no one else but what wildlife is here and themselves. The other has started to...pull at some plants? The gesture puzzles the younger one. There's always a reason behind their actions he's learning, even if it doesn't make immediate sense. Can't imagine it's just to pick the flowers. Something of worth with whatever plant he's looking for...?

...Well pulling at plants isn't anything to keep an eye on, so he starts to head down to the lake. He'll keep pondering about it anyway while he starts to take his gloves off, getting ready to enter the lake. Cleaniness has unfortunately been neglected with everything that's been going on. So there's more than just blood that needs to get washed off. There's a sound of a splash as the younger one enters the water, his shoes and gloves on the shore to get cleaned afterwards. Left with only his inhibitor rings still attached to him.

It's cold. But the cold never bothered him. No different from being in the tank at times. But here, there's freedom for him to move around. He could see the surface, there is a way out for him no matter where he swims. One would think he was drowning himself with how long he stays under the water. But he'll eventually surface, further away from the shore. Despite his behavior in the locked room, he seem at home in the water. Shaking his fur, claws reaching up to brush through his quills. As he works at removing the grim and blood off, he could feel a few out of place quills that need to be picked or put back in place.]

[ during that time, and a little more. it's quiet, only the movement of water and the rustle of trees will fill their ears. and then there's an interruption of the waters surface as a hedgehog begins to skate along it towards the other.

in hand, there's roots, stems and pink petals crushed together in what seems to be a bowl of wood carved... from a tree? the other had enough time to do this, but there's nothing suggesting what tools he used to do that. with the amount of attention he placed on the plant, he must have had some idea of how it worked. he hovers above the surface of the water to place the bowl down, it floating in the water as the other hedgehog has started to clean themselves.

the water in this area is getting dirty, there's some stray fur that manages to float too. shadow doesn't say anything.

turning around, he begins to leave, not in the same pace he came in, but a little slower because there's no rush in case the other went back under.

...

if the younger hedgehog doesn't use what's in the bowl, he'll see it drift left and right, and as the water carries the bowl, it tilts, a little water slipping inside...

...

...

a few bubbly suds are to be seen. a mock-orange scent comes from the bowl, not too strong, but enough to tell it... has a more soap-like scent. ]

[He visibly tenses by the sudden arrival of the other. Instinctively glaring up at them until they placed something down beside him.

...What is that?

There's a fragrant scent coming out of the makeshift wooden bowl. As the other turns to leave without a proper explanation, he's picking up to bowl to examine the contents. Is this all those plants they were gathering before? He tilts his head, dipping a wet claw into the substance. It's grainy to the touch. It starts to foam slightly as he moves it between his fingers, the pleasant smell getting stronger. He blinks, realizing he seen this phenomena before. It's soap?

He stares in bewilderment at the substance in the bowl. As if it would tell all it's secrets. How did the other make this? He scoops up a little more in his hands, rubbing it around. He's put soap in his hands before, but the humans would normally handle his cleaning. So now...he lifts his hands and presses them against his quills? In a circlur motion, bigger movements once he understood the assignment. Like he seens humans do it on those shows. The pleasant smell and the foamy soap against his fur, it felt nice. It's definitely getting in deep and cleaning out the more stubborn grim beneath. He understands now why the other smelled of flowers.]

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