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

[batsymbol]

( He does the math in his head as they go, making a mental note of it all because. He's Bruce Wayne. Of course he would. )

What were you doing before?

[copsormasks]

I was on the streets.

[Living a life of crime, the usual.]

He found me boosting the hubcaps off the Batmobile.

[batsymbol]

( At that, he looks over for a moment, heel of his palm resting at the top of the steering wheel. )

Where were your parents?

[copsormasks]

Dad was killed by Two-Face. Mom was killed by smack.

[Jason really doesn’t feel the pressure to mourn either of them. He was a pretty unwanted child.]

[batsymbol]

I'm sorry.

( He still offers it even if Jason doesn't seem to care much. At that, he pulls into a spot near a diner and parks the Batmobile there, pulling his scarf down from his mouth. )

You don't have to eat. But I'm going to grab something. If you want something though, you can. Money isn't a thing here.

[copsormasks]

Don’t.

[Jason shifts in his seat. He’s no one’s pity project.]

Chilidog.

[Jason is stepping out of his side, though. Sure, he’s certain that there are other Bats watching him, but Jason could not care less.]

[batsymbol]

( Leaving it at that, he slips out of the Batmobile and locks it up the moment Jason's out. Hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, he makes his way for the diner, noticing how it seems to be relatively empty at the moment save for the bots working there. Holding the door for Jason to take after he steps through, he eyes the interior for a quick moment before he's making his way over to one of the booths, expecting Jason to follow. )

Is that all you want?

( The chilidog, he means. )

[copsormasks]

Yeah. [Frankly, Jason was starving, but he didn't want to let onto it. He follows Bruce into the diner, also scanning the place, but for other Bats, and into the booth in question. He takes the position that can readily see the door.]

[batsymbol]

( When the bot comes over, he puts in an order for a chilidog as well as a sandwich with fries and something vegetarian for a third order that’s meant to go. Add a couple drinks and they’re left alone there in the booth. Just the two of them. )

Is there anything you want to know? About here or in general?

[copsormasks]

How many of you are there? [Jason starts before correcting himself.] Bats, I mean. Seems like every time I turn around there's another one.

[batsymbol]

Five active, including myself. One retired, makes six.

( Yeah, he includes his older counterpart. )

Dick didn't return from Aphaia with us. His contact doesn't work either. Sometimes people leave here and return to where they're from. We don't know why or who gets picked to leave, never mind who gets picked to come here.

[copsormasks]

Only five? [Jason frowns over at Bruce, unsure how that could be possible when it seemed like everywhere he turned, he found another Bat staring him down.]

Obviously. No one wants me here. [He leans back in his side of the booth, looking out the window.]

[batsymbol]

That's what you tell yourself.

( He gently corrects, fingers softly tapping against the table as they wait for their food to be brought over — fleeting glance tossed around just because. )

The more you do, the easier it is to believe. Makes it easier to not be left disappointed.

[copsormasks]

Okay Leslie, thanks. [Jason scoffs, crossing his arms as he continues to look out the window.]

[batsymbol]

Am I wrong?

( He doesn't think he is. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason doesn't answer, instead picking at the sleeve of his black hoodie.]

[batsymbol]

( He keeps the silence there between them as the bot returns with their food and drinks and he waits until the bot has tottered off before he thinks to even reach for his drink. Even then, he lets it linger there against his lips, blue eyes watching Jason, then takes a small sip, licking over his lips as the glass is set down. )

I won't ask you to give myself or them a chance.

( Reaching for the bagged vegetarian meal, he sets that aside. )

But I will ask that you give yourself one here.

[copsormasks]

[Jason doesn’t have to look at Bruce to know he’s being watched. He doesn’t touch his food.]

Yeah? And how am I supposed to do that?

[He turns ever so slightly to look at Bruce.]

I’m not a Robin, I’m not a Titan. I’m not anything.

[batsymbol]

Do you think so little of yourself as Jason?

( Does he think so little of himself as Bruce Wayne? He had. For a number of years. Only recently has he seen he's capable of other things as Bruce that Batman can't do or be. )

[copsormasks]

Nobody wants Jason.

[Back to staring out the window. He has tried as Jason, but he feels he can’t do anything without the mask. Hell, his Bruce doesn’t even want Jason.]

[batsymbol]

Do you want him?

( He hasn't touched his food yet, but. He'll get to it. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason doesn’t answer, returning to picking at his sleeve.]

[batsymbol]

( It's more or less confirmation for him. )

I didn't want Bruce. ( He looks down to his food — picks at it a bit. ) I know it hurt Alfred to see.

[copsormasks]

Alfred’s gone where I’m from. [He picks at an uneven piece of the table.] Has been for a while.

Just me and Bruce. [And Bruce didn’t want him.]

[batsymbol]

( No matter the Gotham, Alfred always seems to be a constant and Alfred will always elicit a reaction from a Bruce. In this case, he falls quiet — eyes fixated on the food; he'd nearly lost his Alfred. )

I'm sorry.

( He has to offer that, even if Jason will claim it doesn't matter or he doesn't need to. It's Alfred. Of course he does. )

I almost lost him recently. Said some hurtful things to him before I did. Like I said, I didn't want Bruce.