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

[oblige]

[ Dion weighs the notion with a soft hum. Do the chocobos settle his nerves...?

Moments drag by. He shakes his head. ]

I fear they remind me too much of someone who may not have made the trip here from Aphaia.

[ Fine creatures though they are, the association remains. It was Joshua's homeland that was so known for its chocobos, and their soft feathers remind him of the careless curls of the man's hair besides. Then there are the more colorful birds, the sheen of their plumage the smallest echo of the Phoenix's feathers, at least in part.

It would be difficult to find comfort in a reminder of someone who may have been twice doomed by circumstance. ]

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ When Dion speaks his piece all of Dimitri’s attention drops from the birds; his upper body pivoting towards Dion. Surprise and worry are evident in Dimitri’s expression. ]

What?

[ Despite Dion being a man Dimitri isn’t well acquainted with, his heart still races with concern for him and his lost one. He looks down and away, eyes moving rapidly as recalls lady Aurora beckoning him across the border. He had asked to stay longer, wanted to help more people there- and she had laid his options out for him crisply, time was of the essence then.

His eyes flash back to Dion and his face holds a more firm expression. ]

Lady Aurora offered to let me stay behind in Aphaia until— [ his eyes dart away then back ] until my points ran out. Once that happened she said I would be returned here instead of the alternative. [ death. death was the alternative. ] It was a decision I needed to make rapidly as the warp spell could only stay open so long.

Is it possible they chose to stay and play their time out there?

[oblige]

[ Dion weighs that prospect, lips thinning into a thin, pensive line. Joshua had expressed a desire to help the people there, as he would expect of him, but he had spoken in terms of pursuing that objective together. It would make little sense to him for Joshua to stay behind without a word, when their own world was on the line.

Were he not afforded much time, his device still would have allowed him quick, brief words. ]

I do not think he would have done so without any word.

[ Dion was on his side, after all. He would not have willingly left when presented the option if Joshua didn't do the same. When the stakes are what they are, after all they'd been through, Dion can't imagine he would have been silent. ]

Much as I wish I could say otherwise.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ That is… distressing. Dimitri’s heart goes out to him, but he finds he cannot grasp what that would mean for his loved one. Because it must be a loved one for Dion to be making such an expression. But if they didn’t come here, and they didn’t remain on Aphaia, then where did they go? ]

Hmm. [ he shakes his head ] I apologize, I do not mean to raise hopes only for them to be shattered.

[ He pulls his gaze back to the Chocobos which appeared to be preening one another. ]

I only wish to remind you of how much we do not yet understand. One of the things I am learning here in Etraya is that there are no certainties.

[ Dimitri glances back to Dion, giving him a sad smile. ]

It is a strange situation we have found ourselves in.

[oblige]

[ No certainties, but Dion is not one for audacious hopes. No other had even seen Joshua, which begged other questions, but there's little he can do beyond continuing to look. At some point, he knows, he will have to acknowledge his search is fruitless.

He just hasn't gotten there yet. ]

There is no need to apologize.

[ Dimitri merely brought up a possibility. Dion just doesn't think it likely in Joshua's case, especially not in the wake of a battle for the fate of their world that preceded all of this.

He watches the chocobos idly, expression settling into something of a thin neutrality. Regardless, he will have to press on, he knows. ]

Strange strikes me as an understatement.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ Dimitri’s eyes run over the other man’s face as he looks upon the birds, trying to get a read on him. Alas, all he can discern is some pain before it’s smoothed away.

From there Dimitri’s gaze drops to his hands and briefly all the things he’s trying to not think about burn through his head in a flash. But he doesn’t want to dwell on those things, not right now, not as he had been doing before he happened upon Dion.

So, with a small inhale to send his own memories off, Dimitri looks back to the chocobos. ]

Would you tell me about the birds? Since they seem to prevail across these parts I figure it would be wise to educate myself.

That is, if you do not mind.

[oblige]

Of course.

[ How could Dion mind? It would be better for Dimitri to know and understand the birds than not. He might find himself a steed among them, even, should be be interested in one. ]

The chocobos before us travel in groups like this. Their leader is the colorful one, the male, and the ones with brown plumage are the females. Generally speaking, the male is most quickly agitated by a sudden approach, and the others will follow his cues.

[ Diok gestures toward the flock with an open hand, and though the birds are milling about in a seemingly relaxed manner, the lead chocobo is clearly on the alert. ]

Yet all of them will eat gysahl greens eagerly, and be the friendlier for it.

[hauntedsnowfall]

I do suppose most animals warm to you if you feed them. [ he looks a little contemplative ] Sadly, I’m not familiar with gysahl greens; I don’t think my world has them.

[ Where a normal person would recline of relax were they in this position Dimitri unconsciously keeps his posture proper and straight as an arrow. He is attentive to the birds and Dion’s words. ]

[oblige]

[ Not to worry, fellow prince. Dion turns his attention immediately to his satchel, pulling the flap aside to reveal a collection of what look like steepled, leafy vegetables. ]

Fortunately, they seem to have appeared with the chocobos.

[ As he speaks, he plucks one of the greens from the satchel and offers it to Dimitri. ]

Here.

[hauntedsnowfall]

Oh! [ he reaches both hands out to graciously receive the greens ] Thank you…

[ Dimitri holds the gysahl green a little reverently. So, this is what it looks like… It has a strong smell, but Dimitri bets it would make for a decent snack. If Chocobos can have it then certainly it is probably safe for human consumption.

Then he recalls his manners ]

Ah, as long as you don’t mind my having this…

[oblige]

[ Please don't try to eat those raw, Dimitri... ]

It would be strange indeed to hand you something I'd begrudge you.

[ He intones the words with some humor, a faint smile on his lips. It would be most peculiar to give someone anything he didn't mean for them to have if they so wished. ]

You'll find chocobos will pursue you for it.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ Dimitri’s cheeks tint and he breathes out an embarrassed laugh; still there is a slight smile on his own face as well. ]

Ha, when you phrase it as such I suppose that sounded a bit silly.

[ Despite Dion’s words Dimitri’s eyes have left the pack in front of them as he stares curiously at the greens, pulling one leaf from the bunch. ]

How much is the recommended amount for feeding?

[ After raising the leaf for a sniff Dimitri leans away from it. Quite the pungent odor. It escapes his notice the way the Chocobos down the hill have all turned towards the two of them. Instead he leans in for another sniff and takes a small bite. His face never shifting from a thoughtful expression as he chews and swallows it. ]

[oblige]

They will consume any and all you—

[ The rest of his reply sputters to a stall in his throat when Dimitri just nibbles at the greens himself. Raw. What manner of prince just eats whatever random crop he is handed like this? ]

That is...not recommended.

[ He issues this advice gently, though the perplexed look he wears as he regards Dimitri is something he can do precious little about. ]

[hauntedsnowfall]

Hmm?

[ Dimitri looks up to Dion once the fellow prince’s words die out and a quieter response follows them. Blond eyebrows raise as he takes in the other’s expression; not understanding how it relates to what he says they pinch a little in concern. ]

It is… not recommended to let them eat it?

[ He blinks further in confusion and takes another bite of the crisp green, enjoying the satisfying crunch to it.

Dimitri supposes an animal might crave something it cannot have; although he imagines keeping it away from the avians wouldn’t win him any points with them. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion all but winces at the sight of Dimitri once more nibbling at the greens. The nearby chocobos kweh in protest. ]

Raw as they are, they aren't suitable for you to consume.

[ How Dimitri can even stand such a surpassingly bitter vegetable without any sort of reaction to it is well beyond him. Does he not taste it? Can he taste it? These greens seem no different from those of his own world. ]

The chocobos enjoy the taste, but people boil them in saltwater first.