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 can feel that frown from what he was saying though.] And what if I am? [Not like anyone ever looked out for him, except her. He doesn't need anyone looking out for him anyway.]

If you don't know how, then you're no help to the bird anyway.

Then that's a major bummer! We should all be looking out for each other.

[See: Spider-Man is now going to be on the lookout for if Shadow ever needs help.

One of those goody two shoe types, unfortunately. Nothing that can be done.]

And I don't know how yet, but I'm no quitter. [He moves to stand closer to the bird again, hands hovering worriedly at the slowly more exhausted creature. Poor guy has been tuckering itself out, though Peter is worrying that might be because he's running out of air in there.] Maybe — Maybe digging around the hole could help?

[That will never happen, ever! >:(]

If you can get close enough. [If the bird has really tired itself, then perhaps he can make the hole bigger for it to pull itself out.]

... Maybe I can start digging from further back, then make my way closer.

[He wanders as close as he can get, then slams his fist into the dirt; it smashes through the first hard layer of dirt, down to his forearm, and then he punches again to loosen up the damage he'd done. Now it'll just be a matter of digging toward the chocobo's head—

And maybe get kicked a few times in the process.]

Don't — worry, buddy! I barely feel it! [Okay, he's not immune to sharp chocobo talons, so that does hurt a little, but it's nothing he won't heal from within a day.] Just a little more...! Hey — Mr. Alien Guy! Look out, I don't want him running at you when he's free!

[...They got some strength to them. As the hero gets kicked a few times, slashing into their outfit, he almost feels bad. Ears perk up when they call to his attention...Mr. Alien guy.]

I can handle it. [Don't insult him. Who knows, maybe it running into him means he can stop it from getting itself into further trouble? At least until it calms down.]

[Well, it's a good thing he can handle it. With an almost comedic pop, the chocobo's head is free. It wobbles around on shaky legs as Spider-Man sits back from the much bigger hole left (where there's an obvious gopher quaking in the bottom, to which he says 'sorry' with sincerity).

Once the chocobo seems to have righted itself, it proceeds to give Spider-Man a few unkind pecks to the head before it starts limping off — in Shadow's direction, of course! Spider-Man gets up and rubs the crown of his head while calling out:]

Hey! Easy! Relax!

[You nurse that head of yours costume guy. Shadow won't run as the chocobo comes hobbling in his direction. The jets in his shoes come on as he flies at the chocobo, hooking his arm around it's neck and sends it back, forcing them to lay onto the ground.

It warks in a panic, feet scrapping the ground to find some footing to get back up. It's tired from all it's struggling to get out of the hole though to get proper traction. So it flails like a cornered animal, making noises and flapping it's wings to knock Shadow out of his grip. He keeps a firm hold despite that. Not the gentlest, but it keeps the bird from going anywhere.] You, I need you to come here!

[Oh sh—

Well, at least the alien-guy was quick on his feet!

Spider-Man quickly moves over to the bird in question, hands up and ready.]

What d'you need?!

Pet it! Right here, along the neck! [He gestures to the bird's entire neck. Never thought the random piece of chocobo knowledge he begrudgingly picked up would come in handy ever. But after some observations, petting the back of their head and their necks make them happy and calm. So maybe it'll work here.] Slow and easy!

Pet—?! Okay, okay, I gotcha!

[He's not about to question why the grumpy alien knows how to calm down a panicking Chocobo. He starts petting his hand down the creature's soft neck, and adds as a softer garnish:]

Shhh, shh. It's alright. You're alright...!

[He's full of surprises. The chocobo gets another burst of energy when there's suddenly another hand touching it's feathers. Shadow shifting accordingly to keep the bird from flailing too much. Once it's mind starts to register what the hand is doing though, petting along it's sweet spot, the flailing starts to slow.

It blinks a few times, still caught between flight or relax. It's enough of a pause for it to realize how exhausted it was after trying to free itself from that gopher hole, and fighting these two. And the petting felt really nice. It's cries slowly becomes quiet whistles and coos. Once he's sure the bird has gotten to it's senses again, he'll loosen his grip, eventually letting go once the bird is fully relaxed.]

[As Spider-Man continues petting the bird and the situation immediately begins to calm, he glances over to Shadow, looking and sounding pleased as pie.]

Awww... you're not an 'every man for himself' guy!

[The most important take away from all of this.]

You big ol' softy.

[He stares at them, and then scowls.]

Don't say ridiculous things. I only know, because that gets them to leave me alone. [Idiot. As the chocobo coos at the positive attention.]

[As he continues to sweetly pet the giant bird:]

Then why'd you intentionally stop a panicking chocobo if you wanted it to leave you alone?

[CHECKMATE, NERD]

[There are yellow sparks in his left hand.]

I'll make it panic again. [And you can deal with it by yourself this time.]

[Oh geez-]

Okayokayokay, I'm sorry! I'll behave!

[He holds up his gloved hands, making a surrendering gesture with both hands. One of those same hands is held out at Shadow, not at all worried about the yellow sparks threatened at him.]

I'm Spider-Man, by the way. Nice to meet you.

[The bird remains laying there despite the pettings having stopped. It's tired and sensing no real threats to it, will take this time to rest and recover. During that whole tussle though, a framed photo did end up dropping near the bird after Shadow had moved away from it. Frame might be cracked, but the photo is still intact.

Shadow will look to the hand, then back up to Spider-man. The hand being offered is ignored.] You're some kind of hero that saves animals? [Or spiders?]

[Man, so impolite. What is it with people who don't just shake a guy's hand?

... Maybe it's not their culture. Wherever he's from. It's cool.]

I'm a hero who saves whoever needs saving.

That's how heroes are supposed to work, right?

[As he says that, he glances to the side and picks up the frame.]

You dropped something, by the... oh. [A pause, thoughtful, before he tries to speak just as casually as before.] Where'd you find this?

[He tilts his head, looking between him and the bird. He doesnt seem convinced they got the hero thing down, but sure. He quietly watches as they pick up the framed photo that dropped at some point.

Something about that photo gave the hero pause.] In a box. [Practically fell on him.] You recognize the people on there?

[He snaps out of his stare before looking to Shadow.]

Oh... yeah! One of the guys in the picture is in Etraya, actually...

You want me to return it to him?

[Returning something to himself. Very normal things to do in the masked hero world.]

[...He's not really that attached to getting that photo to the right person, so since the hero here is offering. He waves a hand.]

Do what you like with it. [The photo clearly had some meaning to them, so the photo will probably go to someone.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL MINGLE

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