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

[copsormasks]

I mean, the hand-to-hand stuff in the knives, yeah. Comes with the territory. Everything else was him.

[Jason pauses to chew but still talks with his mouth full.]

But I’m a real fast learner.

[batsymbol]

So I’m gathering.

( Taking a napkin for himself, he drops a couple down for Jason as well. )

You mentioned you were stealing the hubcaps. You know cars, I take it?

( Working on them and all. )

[copsormasks]

I know the easiest to sell parts of cars. Radios, hubcaps, catalytic convertors.

[Jason wipes his mouth and finishes swallowing his bite.]

Prefer bikes, though.

[batsymbol]

( Bruce likes and has both. )

Any particular model?

[copsormasks]

Oh, man. Back home I’ve got this Kawasaki Z H2. All black. All matte finishings.

[Jason is positively gushing. This is baby.]

When Bruce is gone, I like to ride it around in the…

[’Manor’goes unsaid and Jason zips his lips the moment he realizes he shouldn’t brag about this.]

[batsymbol]

( He can more or less guess where he means. Doesn't need to be a detective to figure that out. )

I'm sure he likes that. ( However. ) But it's a good model.

[copsormasks]

Fuck him. He was off in London and I wasn’t invited.

[He perks up at the compliment.]

It’s the best bike.

[batsymbol]

There's a junkyard around here I often go to. Sometimes you can find pieces to Frankenstein something.

( Bruce worked on the Batmobile from scratch after all. It's his baby. )

[copsormasks]

Enough for a bike?

[Bruce has all of Jason’s attention. The only issue Jason sees is the bike-in-progress tying him down to one location where anyone could find him.]

[batsymbol]

Depends.

( He shrugs some — takes another bite of his food. )

I've yet to fully make something myself here. There's others that hit the junkyard up, too. You save up enough points here, you can ask for your bike.

[copsormasks]

Points? [Jason frowns over at Bruce.]

[batsymbol]

The missions we end up on.

( More or less. )

You earn enough, you can ask Aurora for things.

[copsormasks]

Well when’s the next mission? I can do missions.

[Please don’t fire him before his first mission.]

[batsymbol]

Aurora will make an announcement leading up to it. Usually gives you an idea of what it's about. Whether or not you can bring anything with you.

( Reaching for a napkin, he wipes his mouth. )

They vary. Some don't make much sense. Others are more about survival.

[copsormasks]

And you probably need help, right? I can do that.

[Jason is firm about at least trying.]

[batsymbol]

Depends on the mission. Sometimes we get a choice, other times, we don’t.

( And the look on Bruce’s face says it all with how much he doesn’t like the latter. )

[copsormasks]

What does that mean? [Jason frowns.]

[batsymbol]

Sometimes you get a choice with who you work with, sometimes you don’t and you end up with whoever you’re paired with.

( It happens sometimes and he dislikes it every time. )

[copsormasks]

Meaning you don’t want to work with me.

[Jason draws the conclusion out of dust, pushing back from the table.]

I’m a fuckup.

[batsymbol]

( The leaps he made to get to that just now…

Bruce can only stare to Jason before he’s shaking his head and finishing off his sandwich. All of these kids are going to age him here. )

You assume the worst in others. ( How alike they are since Selina had said the exact same thing to him when he’d questioned- when he’d assumed her relationship with Falcone. ) I have an incredibly small net of anyone I would feel comfortable to be paired with here. The bats, as you call them, are that small net. Including you.

( A beat, he looks down to his plate. )

Clark would have been, too. But he left some time ago.

( He knows the exact number of days, hours, and minutes. Because… of course he would. )

[copsormasks]

And if I do?

[Jason is standing now as his anger starts to simmer.]

Then ask them.

[Why bother with the whole food thing? Why ask him questions about home, about his bike?]

[batsymbol]

Does it look like I'm here with them right now?

( The look he shoots him is one that's gently annoyed but he closes his eyes — steels himself — and takes a long breath. He wants to just leave. Get in his Batmobile and leave. This is reminding him of how stubborn Damian was when they'd first met. Except Damian had different ways of testing his patience to the point where he thought he was going to snap at the young Robin. Maybe he's not cut out for this — maybe he's still too young for all this, but. He's trying. )

I'm here with you because I want you to be here.

[copsormasks]

[Jason is halfway out of the booth when Bruce lets him know why they're here together in the diner. It feels false, in a way. Perhaps a measure to keep Jason close by. He shakes his head at Bruce, unsure if he should trust him or not.

He sits back down, albeit much closer to the edge of the seat. He's ready to run at a moment's notice.]

Do you?

[batsymbol]

Do you think I do this with just anyone, Jason?

( Do you not know how much of a recluse this young version of the man you know is? The year he's spent here, he's warmed up to the others some — considers Damian a son he may never have — but he's still liable to fall back into old habits and patterns and staying within his tower is the one he does the most. )

You're here because I want you to be. That's it. There's no motives, no game being played, no master plan being put into motion. It's just you and me. Right here.

[copsormasks]

Bruce meets with anyone with his phone number. [Jason snorts, playing at the edge of the table before shaking his head.]

Y'know, it's one of the first meals we had. I was starving and got us both chilidogs.

[He looks at the chilidog in front of him and remembers just how hungry he was that day. How Bruce looked like a saint. But all of that is in the past.]

And now I'm a mistake.