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

[restingstitchface]

Not at all. I plan on ensuring people cannot escape before I ambush them with a discussion about aesthetics.

[He observes the suit in the window: a figure of style and taste that is now the centre of a subtle little joke. Her last statement was clearly designed to provoke a reaction. One hidden behind the calm and patient expression on his face.]

In any case, I may have paid a visit once or twice.

[Removed some books more than once or twice. But he promises to bring them back!]

[strumpet]

( perhaps for the very first time since they first spoke, inara genuinely seemed to be smiling and even laughing a bit at his comment. she still wasn't sure what to make of him or what to think, but he did remind her of a specific type of client she seemed to get from time to time. he was...starting to grow on her just a bit with his intelligence.

unfortunately for him, if he was looking for more of a negative reaction it wouldn't come. in fact she was all smiles at him currently. )

Well I'll be more than happy to indulge you.

( still, she had her own things to do. )

Well glad to hear, hopefully their selection is more than just gossip magazines and the like. Tell me, can we have our discussion about aesthetics while we do other things too? Or are you going to hold me hostage here?

[restingstitchface]

[Crane is familiar with picking apart a negative reaction. Because of his influence within the courtroom, he is accustomed to parsing a favourable one. But he understands both hide meaning and motivation and trusts neither.

Knowing the moment is over, he leaves the window and offers his full attention. His eyes are down at the floor but only because he is deep in thought.]

You were always free to leave.

[Were has implications that, going by the smile brightening his face, he understands implicitly.]

Perhaps you are a prisoner of your own beliefs about me.

[Which begs the question what does she believe about him?]

[strumpet]

( whatever reaction he was trying to pull from her with such words, all he'll get is a gentle tap of his shoulder with her hand and bright little laugh, swaying away the heaviness of his words. she took it in a more positive light—

opting instead to keep things on a more positive ground between the two. )

I suppose I am, but no need to be such a dramatic diva about it. I've been enjoying your company just fine but—

( he did bring up an interesting point. how was she a prisoner exactly? she wasn't quite sure, but with a more jovial tone, she responded. )

Is that what you feel? Didn't realize you cared so much what someone like me thought about someone like you. I feel you're very intelligent if I'm being honest...

( and slowly, almost seductively, she walked closer to him and looked up at him, her big doe eyes trying to pull his gaze from the ground. )

And you probably look down on people like me, lying about your name with ease. You probably analyze everyone you come in contact with and form your own little world of opinions about them. Despite that....I think we could be friends.

[restingstitchface]

[Some might expect Crane to stand his ground or flee from the gentle touch to his shoulder. But he stands in place, unaffected and unmoved, shifting from his back foot to his front. Her laughter reaches his ears but his head lingers in the clouds.

He thinks about nothing. He ponders about everything.

His eyes rise to the window. Off the ground, yes, but not towards her.]

Perhaps. [Perhaps. Otherwise known as the promise of more.] I do enjoy watching life go by. [Observing the world. Observing people.] In any case, we all form opinions. I wouldn't worry about that.

[strumpet]

( it seemed the closer she tried to get, the further he pulled. it really shouldn't matter that much to inara truly but there was almost something irritating about his disposition—

or rather, she was finding herself drawn to the challenge. anyone else would have been met with a dismissive eye roll, perhaps being written off in her mind as someone not worth interacting with and yet.... )

Does that mean we can be friends? Because perhaps this is me being presumptuous but....perhaps you and I are more similar than what you might think.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane feels the urge to slide his hands into his pockets. He wants to be casually dismissive instead of intellectually distant. He needs to take a look inside her head and learn why she finds him attractive. Because she has never been the first. Will never be the last.

He offers a gentle shrug of his left shoulder. Something about the act makes him resemble a scarecrow moving on its post.]

Well, if you are being presumptous, perhaps that means I can be whatever you want.

[Does he know what he's saying? That's more a question for her.]

[strumpet]

( his words drew a bit of a confused look to her face, genuinely taking her out of her usual element of control and even forcing her to take a step back. she wasn't sure what to make of such a bold statement—

he wasn't one of her clients, probably would be far from it given his own admissions in their previous discussion, but he was a mystery. one she wanted to unfurl and dig into for some reason beyond her own understanding— but instead of trying to in this moment, she decided her best move was to withdraw from the situation. maintaining control was something she strove for, far beyond her own interactions with clients after all.

so she gave a soft huff before turning her gaze away from him. )

What an interesting proposition Doctor Crane really.....what an interesting proposition. I suppose I should mull it over on my own terms and decided what that will be.

( and with that, she began to turn around, walking from him and unless he outright stopped her or called out to her, she continued on towards one of the stores nearby. )