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

[ look for them? they wouldn't even know where to start, and the more he looks at that piece the more he dreads the concept of doing so. ]

And if they're not?

[ she wants to help, he doesn't. there's no need to go out of their way to find who it belongs to when there's a chance it probably has no owner. shadow knows that's not true, the fact he has an inkling of where it should go could start to dawn on him if he paid it more mind, but is he doing that? no.

why do that when he can just... ]

You'll be wasting my time. [ fio's time is pretty flexible, she can do whatever with hers, but his? he's never interested in doing anything. ]

Let's search around here then try going back towards the city. If no one around recognizes it, then I'll hold onto it.

[ Until she comes across the original owner, if that ever happens. The owner could be anywhere in Etraya.

She still has yet the chance to take the trolley, to explore what the rest of the planet has. She'll limit the search to the areas she's familiar with, mostly where the hospital and apartments are. Perhaps more people congregate in that area. ]

...Pleeaaase, Darkie? [ She could take on the task by herself, but... she does want Shadow's company. ] We'll look around, just for a little while.

I don't care to help.

[ this is her mission, not theirs, he should have known when she added him with "we". that said, he'll cross his arms and look at her very annoyed at the prospect of doing this. ]

Surely you've made friends here to count on instead.

[ he's not a friend, he doesn't want to be so he's excluded out of the context of what he's saying. even if he's "darkie" and he's yet to refute the name, he does sound pretty serious that she has other options that aren't him, or should have other people to confide in.

with as much as she's unwilling to budge, he's pretty sure she's managed to get someone to bend to her desires. ]

[ It's true that she's met many kind individuals that she would like to consider friends, despite the short amount of time she's known them. Hopefully, they think the same of her as well. There is also one other like her from the Cage, Lars, that she knows that she can reach out to. The earpiece can be useful for her to quickly reach anyone, but she's made little use of it. It's still a strange piece of technology that she's not fully accustomed to. ]

You're the one that's here right now. I want you to search with me. It's just gonna be for a little while, like I said.

[ She already knows not to mention the "friend" word around him, not to include him in that group. Because she knows what he'll say. He doesn't want to be friends, but of course, Fio still wants to be... ]

I'm not tired today, not like that other time. I won't be a li- lie ability.

[ She remembers the funny word from last time. Kind of. ]

...

[ it almost sounds like she's saying he has no choice, like she's making the rules and he has to abide by them. he rolls his eyes, contemplating that he should leave, but as she continues to speak... maybe he shouldn't have taught her that word. ]

The moment you tire, I'm leaving.

[ kids have energy, he'll probably regret this, but if he's lucky then she'll exhaust herself out along the way. one hand rests on his hip as the hedgehog takes a few steps to stand by fio's side, and with a groan he looks to her as if asking which way does she want to go. ]

I'll follow your lead.

[ that way if there's any chocobos, he can at least shoo them off if they get too close. ]

[ She doesn't require him to do too much. Just his company is good enough. Her serious expression blossoms into a cheerful smile, happy that her mission isn't solo. She bounces lightly on her heels. ]

Okay! Hehe. Yay! Thank you, Darkie! Thank you, thank you!

[ It does take a few extra moments for her to actually get started moving. As best as she can, she folds the cape, stuffs it back into the gift box, and scoops it up. Was that necessary? ...Not really. Fio just doesn't want to litter. ]

Ready. Try to keep up! [ She says playfully, knowing he will since he is the "Ultimate Lifeform" after all. Off she goes, poking through their nearby surroundings, checking behind trees and bushes. ] Helloooo? Is anyone else out here?

[ with how quick her expression went, shadow has to wonder how many people has she did this stunt on. the brat is taking advantage of his kindness, isn't she? squinting at her, shadow rolls his eyes before following right behind. ]

You shouldn't wander around by yourself.

[ just in general, why is there no one with her? then again, there hasn't been anyone he's seen with evil intentions yet. she also doesn't seem to be the type who likes to be alone, she probably didn't enjoy it when shadow separated from her at the last world.

what child would? ]

If your curiosity places you in situations like this that you can't do by yourself, you should accompany someone through the day.

[ if she did, then he'd go unbothered. sometimes he stops to watch her stick her head through bushes, and it's through one unlucky one that a chocobo thinks one of her little ponytails is a worm.

... there the bird goes, trying to grab it with its beak. before it can, shadow's quick to throw a small rock at the bird's beak, causing it to fall back onto its rear end from the pain. ]

[ She did get a little carried away with her flower picking. Part of this feels like she's repeating a similar exchange that she had with the other Shadow. And Fio uses the same response for this one: ]

...I'll ask for company next time.

[ She'll try to anyway, knowing not everyone will always be available to give her the company she desires. She has wandered around by herself many times, so she thinks she would be able to handle doing the same here when she has to...

While poking through a bush, the chocobo takes her by surprise and suddenly, it's down on the ground within seconds. Though it was just coming for her pigtails, she feels sad for it.

She looks at the hedgehog with a frown. ]

Darkie, try not to hurt the birdies.

[ then the shadows have something in common, that small part of them that instructs without sounding too worried about another person's safety. if he knew that he sounded like the other version of him, he'd probably frown, if he knew that she repeated a line, it might have caused him to leave.

however, what he doesn't know won't hurt him. even her complain only gains a stare, unbothered by her request. ]

Do you want me gone?

[ if she's that protective of the birds, he won't stop her from being so, but him even being around may result in the same issue in case the birds do something that warrant a small reminder of "no, don't do that".

the bird looks at fio before getting up and trotting away, luckily it understood that shadow didn't have time for their wiles.

however with it gone, shadow still looks to her in case she wants to change her mind of who she takes help from with locating the owner. ]

[ Hearing the creature's movement, she turns her head briefly to check on the bird, a sense of relief washing over her to find that the chocobo still has the strength to stand on its own and retreat elsewhere. The bird was very close to crossing the line by snatching her with its massive beak. It didn't lay a feather on her, fortunately. But if Shadow hadn't thrown that rock, who knows if Fio would've been able to react quickly enough to step out of the way.

She's always been soft, finding it difficult to react with the same roughness that Shadow has. Back in the alien world, even if he didn't attack anyone, it was also him that had to drive away the reporters with his attitude... ]

I never said that I want you gone. We can search together... and we can do that without hurting the birdies... or anyone. I don't like seeing others get hurt...

[ she doesn't understand who she's talking to. it's shadow's tendency to be violent that makes him the opposite company that she wants. she doesn't know this, but if things aren't done his way, he'll make sure that they are. ]

I won't waste your time.

[ she doesn't need for him to be gone, but he knows that he can leave. if for her sanity and happiness that she doesn't want anyone hurt then he will follow what she's after.

while he could stay by her side, go by what she wants, there is his pride at stake. he's already walking the opposite direction, not to find someone, but to leave so that she doesn't have to see any violence moving forward. ]

[ At this point, they've completed checking the last nearby shrubs and trees and now would be a good time to begin the trek back towards the city. But Fio finds that Shadow has left her side, taking off in a different direction.

Using the earpiece would easily give a map and she can navigate her way back on her own. She doesn't like being alone. She might dislike the feeling of being abandoned even more. It feels kind of like that. The little girl squeezes the box against her chest, looking visibly hurt as she watches the hedgehog leave. As he moves further away, her expression shifts from sadness to something more thoughtful. More curious.

Fighting may be necessary sometimes, but she would like to avoid needless violence as much as she possibly can. What is it that made him so aggressive, that he quickly resorts to violence? She doesn't understand a lot about him... and she's been trying to understand. He'll hear footsteps following after him. ]

...Is this why you don't want any friends?

[ friends? never really thought about it, but she must mean his violent attitude. ]

They aren't a necessity.

[ whether she knows what the word means or not, he already expected that she would follow after him. even though they're walking in the opposite direction, it's to a location that fio hasn't checked yet. she'll find all sorts of presents on the ground that have yet to be opened or were, but there are names attached to what they pass.

isn't it curious that the one she has doesn't have a name? ]

You're the one who wants them.

[ his words might be mean, but it's an observation, she does want friends, doesn't she? as much as she decides what they'll do despite his protest, and choosing who she wants to be with, maybe she's placing her desires on him thinking they could want the same. ]

[ As she walks along, she's amazed to see the piles of presents scattered across the ground. She tries to survey them as she walks past, to see if there's any recognizable names. If she could hold onto more than what she has now, she would kindly try to seek out all the rightful owners.

None of the ones she's seen earlier had her name. Doubtful she'll find anything now. Deep down, there's a little hope she might find her own name amongst the boxes. She won't find it. Though it is strange how the one she has is blank. Still, she continues holding onto the cape until she gets a chance to search around the city. ]

I do want friends. I want lots and lots of friends. I don't like being lonely. [ Loneliness. And being abandoned... or betrayed. She doesn't like any of it. ]

You told me you have nothing. Maybe having friends isn't a nuh- [ A pause. Trying not to stumble over that word. ] nuh- seh-suh-tee to live. But I want you to see how much better it is to have someone. Even if it's just one other person... I think you'd be happier.

[ just one other person, huh? it feels as though life is laughing at him in his face, but she doesn't know. the one person he had died a long time ago, and when that one person appears, his happiness is only brief. in the end, she's meant to rest, and he is meant to never have her again. ]

I'm fine alone.

[ as shadow says that, it really sounds honest especially with the sigh added on as though this isn't the first time he's heard this.

he doesn't need anyone, but fio doesn't seem to understand that. ]

You're putting too much on your plate. Focus on one thing at a time.

[ he glances at the gift in her hand, hinting that she should worry about that than worry about him. children tend to want to indulge in many things, and it's this reason why she needs someone around so that she doesn't overwhelm herself. ]

[ If she knew that he once had someone, she would have more to say. She doesn't know. And she's left to believe that he just doesn't understand. Even if she knew, she's going to keep worrying about him. ]

I don't think so...

[ Then Fio's reminded of the gift, glancing back down at the box in her hands. She exhales a small sigh of her own. Maybe it would be best to backtrack to the city, before she gets too far away. They're bound to run into each other again, as long as he remains in Etraya. ]

...

What are you planning to do next?

Hm.

[ what a curious question coming from her, especially when they're looking for who the gift belong to. he says this with ease as though it's the most obvious thing in the world: ]

Checking here, then we go to your apartments to see if it belongs to anyone there. If not there, shopping centers, but there's only so many places the humans here frequent.

[ well, as much as he can say after this he's leaving to keep to himself, he's focused on the task at hand. well, in her hand, really. she's the only reason he's even doing this. ]

Did you change your mind?

Huh? Um...

[ ...Oh. Wait, what? She hears that "we" in there! She's not going to point that out. A lengthy pause, because she was about ready to accept defeat and continue the rest of the search by herself. Did he change his mind too?

Shadow really could just leave. Fio isn't a difficult person to just leave behind. No matter how stubborn she is in trying to constantly follow him, the hedgehog should be able to easily lose her. Just like that moment back in Aphaia. Especially since she's an ordinary child, for the most part. But he's still here...

Shaking her head, a very faint smile returns. ]

I didn't change my mind. Let's keep looking. [ Looking around at their surroundings once more. Focusing on the task at hand, see... ] It really doesn't look like anyone else is around here, so maybe we should go back to check the apartments soon.

[ she knows that he could leave, he only chooses not to because he's offering his patience to her. as long as she doesn't push it, and searching for an owner isn't as tiring as it should be especially if they don't find them.

it'd prove that it was a waste of her time, and that he was right. ]

You can check around your apartment.

[ that would be more familiar for her and give her an opportunity to ask anyone else that's close to her. there could be someone who is familiar enough to claim the piece of fabric, and if not, shadow knows he's not going out of his way to ask where he stays.

he's simply supervising her to make sure she doesn't get in trouble. ]

We can move to another building, a diner, then you can ask anyone if they know who it belongs to.

[ ... ] They sell pancakes, bacon and definitely eggs too.

[ he's kind of repeating what he's heard but it's fine. ]

[ In the end, they might not find the owner. To her, it won't feel like a waste of time because she gets to spend more time around the grumpy hedgehog.

Fio's head perks up at the mention of food. Of course, she isn't forgetting the task. She's only a human child, who will eventually need to stop and eat sometimes. She's going to need the energy from food to keep up with their search. ]

...Can we go to the diner first?

[ It's on the way, near more buildings they can search. So they're still being productive! ]

...

[ he stares at her for a brief moment, shadow can't be that annoyed since he brought it up. ]

Alright, let's go.

[ does fio know which way the diner is? probably not, he doubts it, that's why he watches what she does first before walking to her side, stopping and then getting down on his knees.

anyone else, he wouldn't, but it'd take too much time walking through the forest to getting to the diner. before, he had allowed her to walk, this time, he'll give her a chance to save some energy. ]

...

[ Not really. She assumes the diner is located wherever the apartments are. Nearby, somewhere! Turning around, she chooses to backtrack down the path she was on earlier, believing that it would eventually lead back to the city as long as they keep on walking. She comes to a halt, looking curiously as Shadow stops right next to her.

Of course, she's aware of how strong he is, knowing he'd be able to carry her with ease. But she has some energy left to walk on her own... ]

...I'm not tired yet, Darkie.

...

[ is that what she thinks this is, him being considerate on whether she's tired or not? it's nothing like that, and he even looks at her as though the response doesn't make sense to him. ]

Mm.

[ he doesn't explain himself much like most situations, instead he returns to standing properly. ]

Start running.

[ they can still save time, and maybe she'll be able to make it just before the breakfast portion of the diner turns into lunch. ]

I'll be behind you.

[ Unless she's in life threatening danger, she doesn't see the need to run right now. If her legs can still work, she can walk with her own two legs! Even if she had a limp too, she'd just keep dragging herself along...

She doesn't know how a diner works because she's never been to one. He just said there's food there... they have pancakes, eggs, bacon? To her, that sounds like food for the rich! Probably not as glamorous as some of the food she's received in Aphaia because of her rank at the time. It's still much more above the food that she's used to eating.

She continues towards the same direction, at a leisurely pace. ]

But I'll get tired a lot quicker if I run...

That's not the point, you'll lose time.

[ as much as he doesn't want to elaborate, he feels as though there's no choice. ]

There's only certain times they have certain foods, aren't you aware of that?

[ he thought she'd be familiar, that would save some time and orevent them from having to come the next day. if they're going now, then they have to go. anything else in the way and she'll lose out on trying what he's suggested.

shadow's already looking towards her for an answer. ]

APRIL MINGLE

she can give the other him a gift... he needs it more... look at him... sad wet cat

dw she's already planning to give him a gift. grumpy old man cat can have gifts too...

fio always thinking about others but never about herself

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