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

[cantilevers]

[Vander was still holding out his hand towards the group of birds when he spotted Shaw approaching. He turned his body slightly to facing her even with his arm still extended. Maybe if he wasn't looking at them then the birds would feel bolder to approach.]

Oh, I could take them. When I worked the docks, I had to fight packs of razorfins at least three times a week. I have a mean left jab.

[He inclined his head towards her.]

Are you a casual observer or want in on the action? Or would it happen to be my gravitational charisma that pulled you in?

[cactusy]

[Shaw hmmmms, taking her time as she runs her gaze up and down his full form... before she turns to look at the chocobo.]

Actually, it was this guy's gravitational charisma.

[She picks up a wilted leaf and offers it to a green chocobo, who gives it a sniff, and then a rebuff. Shaw's lips twitch slightly into a not-quite-a-smile.]

What's a razorfin?

[cantilevers]

[She was shameless and he liked that. They had had a good time after all, and it was carefree and rough and tumble, which was memorable. She didn't seem particularly interested in the whole 'bird luring', but he appreciated that she came out and gave him a nice once over.]

So you like them cute and feathered, huh? I'll keep that in mind.

[He appreciated that she had about as much luck as he did earning a nibble. He tossed the green in hand as the bird backed off, and it was far more keen to eat it when it was out of his hand. He had others of course, though he set his hands on his hips and skated a glance to Shaw.]

It's a rodent that inhabits the docks and and waterways of my city. Highly aggressive, big teeth and eager in packs. They are known for ripping off legs or they bite and create a killer infection then wait you out to die.

[cactusy]

Ugh.

[New York City life has not endeared rodents to her, and she makes a face as she idly kicks another fistful of plants - already on the ground, apparently discarded by someone else - towards the chocobos.]

Give it a few hundred years, and I'm sure our rats will evolve to that point. How big?

[cantilevers]

[He smiled at her reaction, and it was common enough even among his own people. Razorfins could be a pain to deal with, especially as they grew large and aggressive.

He noted her kick and the bird was skittish enough to back off to stare at them nervously. He knocked his shoulder against hers lightly in response.]

12-year old child kind of big. Nasty teeth, claws and with a nice dewy moisture on their skin at all times. The bigger they are, the more aggressive they tend to be. Actually, that describes some of the people I'd serve at my bar.

[cactusy]

[And she knocks him right back, of course.]

Fighting packs of aggressive people was always my favorite part of my job back home.

[cantilevers]

[Yeah that fit. He knew that physically she wouldn't let him get away with anything, which was refreshing and interesting given his history of being able to use his size and strength to impose on people when he needed to.]

Oh mine too. Five is a good number, though I've fought more than that on numerous occasions.

[cactusy]

[Shaw nods at that, shooting him an approving look before turning her attention to one of the chocobos, which is currently pecking perilously close to her combat boot.]

Five keeps things interesting without getting too messy or scattered. And more than one person coming at you means you can knock their heads together; that's always a fun time.

[cantilevers]

[While Vander knew better than to stare at prey animals, he couldn't help but watch the bird pecking at the ground close. He could reach out and touch it, but he dared not spook it after both of them seemed to be fuddling through this whole "bird taming" opportunity.]

See, you know! We should enjoy a bar brawl together someday. Or just a brawl in general. I also have a preference for using other people as weapons on their friends.

[cactusy]

[The suggestion makes a slow smirk spread across Shaw's face, even as the bird delivers its next peck to her boot laces. Surely it's just curious, but even so...]

Gotta say I've liked all the plans you've come up with so far. How can I say no?

[cantilevers]

[His eyes flicked from her smirk to the bird and back again. No point fighting animals, but he was certain they could find themselves in some fun trouble.]

I suppose we'd need about ten to go up against us for a decent go around to start, yeah? Five each and then assuming they have friends show up to fill the ranks when they inevitably fall.

[cactusy]

Too bad we can't just recruit some bad guys.

[Too bad they're not at home, where bad guys are a dime a dozen.]

[cantilevers]

Yeah, this place is unfortunately pristine. It's actually boring you can't just wander someone and have a high risk of being jumped.

[He looked over at her then down at the bird, and he took a reach to slowly lift his hand so that he could attempt to touch the feathers of it shoulder that looked rather soft.]

So in that case, what sort of fun and exciting plan should we come up with to pass the time until we can find our way to a situation where we're surrounded? Birds don't look like they want to fight.

[cactusy]

[Apparently they're Trusted People^TM by this point, because the formerly suspicious bird arches its head up against his hand, hunting for scritches and feather-ruffles. Shaw looks from him to the bird and then back again, raising an amused eyebrow.]

I think we're going to be stuck having a lot of sex to pass the time. Big bummer, right.

[cantilevers]

[Vander's smile brightened when he was allowed to touch the bird, and it lifted his mood. It seemed that her shoelaces were the secret to being able to touch these big creatures. He was definitely taking advantage of it and gestured with his chin for her to enjoy this while it lasted too.]

Oh no, whatever will I do? You know we could spar each other, but the result will be the same...

[cactusy]

I wouldn't complain about that.

[The implicit suggestion that she pet the chocobo is met with a skeptical eyebrow-raise, but... she gives it a couple perfunctory pats, similarly to how one might pet a dog. The bird, in turn, fixes her with a beady, unimpressed stare.]

-- Yeah, I don't think this guy likes me much.

[cantilevers]

That seems like just as good of a way to pass the time.

[He noted the way that she was petting the bird and had to snort a sound of amusement. His own technique was somehow better, which encouraged him to actually redouble his efforts on that front.]

I hope you don't pet your lovers like you pet that bird. Everyone will leave dissatisfied.

[Though, he had admittedly not been dissatisfied with their activities a few weeks back. He could still tease about it gamely.]

[cactusy]

[Wow, Vander, says the look she shoots him, and she's just going to go ahead and speak that last bit out loud.]

I don't remember you complaining.

[cantilevers]

[He grinned and then threw an arm around her shoulders to pull her in up against him. The bird startled and snorted at him for his quick movement, but he offered another green quickly to try to convince it not to go too far.]

I'm smarter than to ever complain, and there was nothing to complain about. [He leaned in to try to steal a kiss to smooth things over further.]

[cactusy]

[The fact that she's not actually offended definitely helps - and, honestly, so does the fact that he's smooth as fuck. Easy charm and genuine confidence are attractive, what can she say. She will also happily lean up for a little makeout session... until she feels an insistent pecking on her boot again, anyway.]

Dude.

[She says, pulling away to frown down at the bird.]

Cockblock.

[cantilevers]

[She did not appear to be easy to offend, which helped when he decided to be cheeky. Of course, he had the benefit of charms that he employed shamelessly when necessary, and he also was not above taking advantage of her willingness to kiss him back. What was a little make-out session between friends?

He blinked and pulled back when she pulled back, turning his head to regard the bird that he had reattracted back to them.]

Okay, okay, both of you don't need to fight over me. [He smirked and kissed her temple.] You gonna scare him off?

[cactusy]

[Shaw, dry and deadpan as she is, definitely isn't humorless. She's also intimately familiar with how flirting works - after all, it's one of the only social dances that she has any patience at all for (... well, as long as the timing doesn't suck, anyway). So she plays along, crossing her arms over her chest and affecting a thoroughly unimpressed look as she stares down at the bird.]

Back off, buddy; I saw him first.

[cantilevers]

[The social game with all its need for beats of a conversation and flirting was something that he had always enjoyed. Prickly people were usually the most interesting as it required effort, but honestly, everything about this was for achieving fun. It wasn't as if he was going to take one of these big birds to the city, but her on the other hand? He might just do that if she was open to it.

More than likely, they also might just throw down out here in the grass in a spar.]

She has a point, bird. Apparently he likes your shoe laces. Maybe I should be the one chasing him off if he's flirting with you, right? I can't tell based on his expression just what his intentions are.

[cactusy]

Not an expert on weird bird body language, huh.

[She plucks up one of the pieces of greenery that Vander had been trying to feed the birds, holding it out for this one to take. It fixes her with a suspicious eye... and then takes the leaf from her hand.

Ha! Success! Shaw shoots Vander a smug look. Looks like he does indeed have competition.]

[cantilevers]

Well, first time I've been this close to a bird before, so yeah.

[He watched her attempt to feed the big flightless creature and shook his head when she had better luck than him. While he didn't want to startle the creature and lose their opportunity to interact with it, he still had to lean into the ruse that they were upkeeping here.

So, he stepped up and casually slid an arm across her shoulders, providing the bird a disapproving look. He pulled a green out and offered it, and it seemed to consider before warily coming up to finally take it from his hand.]

Well, well, maybe it wants a threesome.