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'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.]

[ shadow doesn't stay, he returns to the shoreline to make his way back to the forest. it's not like they need someone to watch over them, but as long as they clean themselves it'll be for the better. it'll make integrating with others easier if he doesn't smell like that, especially around children, but there's only so many of those here.

the hedgehog exhales, jumping into one of the trees to hide himself from any chocobos that might come through. it's better this way, he doesn't like the attention anyway. shadow doesn't try to sleep, instead he leans against the bark, keeping himself distracted by the rustle of the leaves and trees, slowly...

after everything that was said to him, what is he to say? he's unable to tell them that their life won't get any easier, but it seems they hate using their power... laura is the same, she hates killing people, but it's easy. children. he's no good with saying not to kill, as that's been majority of his own life.

when it comes to chocobos, the ones who live by the water are interested in what the other hedgehog has. curious, they walk on over, but keep their distance unsure of the blood, but the scent is attracting enough. yummy too.

they want to eat what's in the bowl, but knowing that they're probably not allowed. one chocobo lays down on top of the water, head tilting left and right before leaning forward with a soft wark wondering if the hedgehog will share the meal. there's only three birds nearby, they make no effort to get into their personal space, but they don't know that what's in the bowl isn't free feed. ]

[Was it too much to hope he could get himself cleaned undisturbed? He blinks, glancing over toward the noise of water being disturbed, seeing the approaching birds. He frowns. Not more chocobos. They're eyeing the bowl...he sees now what happened when it came to these birds and the older hedgehog.

He sighs, taking his bowl and tries to swim to another part of the lake. A head still full of soap suds. The chocobos linger for a moment, but then start to follow after. Ugh.]

Back off. [He fires a spear, hitting the water in front of them and giving the birds a spook as they all dive underwater. He thought that was the end of it, until he felt himself get suddenly being pushed upwards. He's launched above the water by on of the chocobos. He doesn't panic, some quick thinking and he'll teleport himself back onto the shore. Landing on his feet, he glares at where he had left.

The bowl of soap, unfortunately did not make it with him. Those stupid birds are circling around it now, pecking out whatever they thought was food. A groan, reaching up to bring down a handful of soap still in his fur. What he got cleaned will have to do for now. It's already more than what he did before. He walks back to the water's edge to finish what he could clean, washing off the soap.

A shake of his fur once he was finished, trying to get as much water off him. His head of fur poofing out way more than usual. Probably because he finally gave it a good clean. This will...require time to individually tame the poof of each quill. As he starts work, he stares over at the blue chocobos. They visibly looked disappointed that there really wasn't a snack for them. Just a lot of bubbles. Unless...their eyes turn to Shadow. Oh boy. He's not going to keep standing there, starting to walk back towards the forest, searching for something. All the while trying to de-poof his fur.

Where did the older one go, now that he thinks about it?] How did you make that? [He calls out, wondering if they were till even in the area.]

[ what he expects to be warks and warbles is instead not that at all, instead he hears a familiar voice speak out into the forest. initially, he thinks of remaining quiet because what's the need to reveal his whereabouts? however, it's an innocent question. ]

Do you want to learn?

[ yes, he's still around.

he never left.

his voice comes from the trees somewhere, not too loud to give away his location, but it's enough that he knows the other will hear him. all the other probably needed was a sound of his voice to decide where to go. shadow wouldn't be surprised if the other appeared out of nowhere in the same tree that he's laying in now.

to offer this tutelage is not out of kindness, it's only if the other is interested in knowing. it may be of some help to him since it seems like his bath didn't go as long as he thought, the older hedgehog does wonder what happened. he inhales, able to smell what scent does waft off the other, it doesn't smell strong enough that it was given time to sit, but the smell is there. ]

...

[ how does he keep getting into these situations. kids always acquire assistance for something, and somehow he's never able to keep distance from them. perhaps it's that childlike innocence they have which is much like the girl that was with him not too long ago. ]

[His ears twitch when the other speaks.

...He's actually relieved they didn't leave?] Yes. [Finding the other isn't his actual objective. So there's no surprise wet hedgehog to greet him in the tree this time. He's grabbing something he finds in the brush instead, just as there came the familiar warbles from the blues lingering around the area. They become even more excited as the younger one returns with a handful of greens in tow.

He drops one just to keep their attention on it and then keeps walking down to the lake. Time is short, so he starts to throw the remaining greens to the far side of the lake. As far as he can throw them, scattering them everywhere. And just like that, the blues are rushing back into the water, like a bunch of ducks scurrying away. That should keep them distracted for a while. And he's messy again. But at least he's not covered in blood anymore.

With a sigh, picking up his gloves while he's at it, he walks back into the water for a quick cleanse.]

[ nothing else comes from the trees, as though shadow has moved on from the topic to something else. whatever the other does is on them, because as he forages for leafy greens to give the chocobos, it takes awhile before shadow comes out from the forest. he closes his eyes, arms crossed as he listens to the warbles of the chocobos that run over to pick up the free food given.

without telling the other to come along, he returns back to that one patch of weeds that he was looking at before. sitting down, he pushes aside some flora to get a better look. whether the other makes it in time to see the process or not... depends on him. it's not like shadow to hurry the process, and the thing is that he's not rushing.

it's just what comes nature to him to search, to find, a process taught to him upon awakening. he may not have came to earth to learn, but there were chances upon the ark, the biology of plants and living creatures.

whatever could be used to keep maria alive and well. ]

[He just needs five minutes man. There's still blood on his shoes to deal with once he comes back out of the water. Setting his gloves down to dry, just as he was about to move onto his shoes, he sees the other had reappeared from wherever they had been hiding. They are sitting on the ground, picking at the plants again.

Ah.

There's a sound of grass and dirt being disturbed as the younger hedgehog approaches them. He's still dripping wet, so there's some space put between him and the other. So that he doesn't end up ruining whatever they're trying to gather.]

...

[ he's here. took him long enough (five minutes), but he'll pull his hands away as he turns his head to look at the other. ]

You don't have to learn.

[ it was just an option. ] There are places you can buy soap without going through the trouble.

[ ... ]

[That gets a raised brow from him.] And what if I'm sent somewhere that I can't? [What then? Also he's never been shopping before? He can kind of work it out based on what he's seen in those films he's watched, but this place is way different than anything he's seen on tv.]

...Can you make other stuff? [He chances to ask them. He feels like he should at least know these things, about what plants to use, what he should be spotting to be able to help himself, if the situation calls it.]

Hm. [ he's right, he may not have the luxury. ] Depends.

[ no need to brag, but he can do many things effortlessly without any issue. like now, he's retracting his hands to show the other what it is they're focusing on. there's a pile of lance-like leaves piled together, and growing from them on a stalk is white, pendant in appearance flowers. ]

There's this one.

[ he stares tiredly at the plant. ] They'll damage your hands if you aren't careful.

[ obvious, but it needs to be said. ]

[Inexperience. He simply has not gain the same experience as you yet. All right? He will get there in due time.

...Also he's not touching those without his gloves on then.]

What is it used for? [He could try guessing based on it's appearance, and it's sharp leaves?

....

It could be for anything.]

[ it's odd, speaking to him like this despite all that's happened. it doesn't feel wrong to him, no, because everything he does is for choice reason. it's not something he'd expect the other to be doing like listening to a small lecture on this plant. ]

In your case: soap and shampoo.

[ his head finally turns to look at them, one hand tapping at the ground. ]

Once you're ready, you'll dig.

[He listens, because he's tired of the older one constantly having the edge over him. But also, it's information he feels worth knowing. It's something different too. Definitely not something the scientists would have bothered to teach him at the base. Life skills? There's just no way around it that he's lacking in that department. All he knows is whatever Maria would tell and show him of the outside world, in that little box of light called a television.

Experiencing it all first hand? Overwhelming. No time was given to take in the outside world right after he escaped his eternal prison. His mind eventually consumed with revenge to think of anything else. So right now...he appreciates having this, however simple or small it is. That the other is willing to explain.

...Kind of what he had hoped for when he was made aware of their presence, really.

He looks at them for a moment, to the plant. He then starts to walk off, back down to the shoreline so he could gather his gloves. The chocobos are thankfully still pre-occupied. Would the other mind if he wiped down his shoes for a moment...? Well, that's what he's doing first before getting them back on. Compared to the others, a few detailing difference aside, his shoes are still not as worn down as the others from use if one were to observe.

He'll return a few minutes later, still a little fluffed up from being in the water, but sitting down with the other to continue the....lesson?]

[ shadow doesn't care how long the other takes, he's used to being alone, thinking and reminiscing. without him nearby, shadow can stare down at the plant thinking back to why he knows this. those makeshift "classes" with maria, those experiments of what would be used to cure her illness, those chances where shadow would take part in experiments and learn because his dna, his body would be used and paired with what humans could gather.

he remembers this, certain plants are used to make cream, others can make soap, and most are used for medicines.

just little additions to what he needed to learn. ]

...

[ as the other hedgehog appears, shadow turns his head to look at him and sees his gear has been returned to them. nor are they completely dry, but that's neither here nor there. ]

You have to dig 2 to 3 feet to remove the root.

[He doesn't know when the other's patience is going to wane, all right? He looks to the plant, bringing his hand down to start moving the dirt around it. His movements are slow at first, uncertain how far the roots spread, not wanting to damage it too much.]

Do we use the roots?

We'll cut away the roots.

[ but that doesn't mean anything for now, all the other has to do is focus on getting it. digging that low will allow for the other hedgehog to obtain the bulbous core, maximizing how much soap he can make. ]

Above, there's a core.

[ he'll begin to see it once he digs low enough. ] Yank it up when you're ready.

[His brows furrows in concentration to see what the other is referring to, continuing to dig until-- Oh. It is indeed, obviously round and core-like once he gets deep enough. He'll use both his hands to carefully pull the plant out of the dirt. Root-like veins clings onto the core beneath.

He lifts it up to let it sit in his hand, looking to the other expectantly.]

[ he points to one of the lance-like leaves. ]

This can be used to make soap or cordage.

[ they don't have a knife so it's fine if the other hedgehog doesn't use it now. later, when he's alone maybe. ]

You'll cut right here, across the top to remove the leaves, and at the bottom to take off the roots. The core will be left.

[ his finger slides against the mental line of where the other should cut on both ends, he's looking at the hedgehog to see if he understands.

then again, if they wanted, they could use their nails or something else nearby to cut. ]

[...Well, the other somehow prep this without using any instruments, so he will do the same. Doing it in practice will help him retain the memory of how he did it. And besides, there's a chance he has to rely only on what he has on hand.

He lifts the plant up, noting where the other says to cut. He lifts the leaves up gently, revealing the stems. Keeping them together, he brings it to his mouth and uses his teeth to separate the top half from the bottom. The leaves might have left a few small cuts on his muzzle, but they will easily heal on their own. He sets the top down, looking to the roots latching onto the bulb.

He could probably peel them off...? He carefully tugs at the roots wrapped around the bulb, loosening them up, so it's easier to pull them off without ruining the core. Like peeling an orange, he eventually gets the roots off, leaving just the bulb in his hand.]

APRIL MINGLE

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