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

[ who knew this hostage situation would be real, even so, shadow only clicks his tongue as the other speaks. ]

Checking the surrounding area to gain information about where we are.

[ the appearance of a human might work better than someone talking to a hedgehog, the looks he gains when he does speak to someone is always telling. they've never seen anything like him before.

besides, he'll keep his eyes peeled for maria, he'll use this individual for anything else that works in his favor. for now, shadow needs information, he needs to understand how this place works and how all guests are welcomed. if anything said to one another is different from someone else. ]

What did Aurora tell you upon entry here?

[ speak, boy. ]

[...Well, that's not the worst idea he's ever heard. Probably a good one, honestly. Figuring out more about the world they're going to be stuck one is extremely important, but Scott was hoping that he was going to learn all about that on his own and not with a grumpy and probably homicidal hedgehog.

This really is going to be he his first full day at Etraya, huh? He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose, letting some of his earlier Attitude return now that he doesn't have something pointed at his neck. That really does wonders for morale. Being outside of the hospital helps too, because out here... it actually is kind of nice. Definitely a sharp contrast to Aphaia.

The question gets Scott to tilt his head towards Shadow though.]

Probably the same spiel she gave everyone? The whole 'we've been brought here because the multiverse is falling apart' and we're supposed to help pick and choose which universe survives like some ultra fucked up version of last man standing.

Edited 2025-05-08 19:08 (UTC)

Last man standing?

[ he doesn't even know what that means, but he doesn't linger on that topic as he's more so fixed on choosing which worlds. that is the worst part of it all, one would think everyone would have to fight, kill and the winner would be the person who gets their world back.

...from what he's seen so far, everyone is too busy helping each other. ]

She spoke without saying what were the requirements, or where to choose.

[ everything about it has gaps which loses all reasoning, it makes it unbelievable, and suggests that she's going to give them the option sooner or later. ]

Even that last world, was she able to save it?

[He doesn't explain, not as the topic shifts and focuses back on Aurora.]

She didn't mention that in detail to me either. Mostly just how our actions here might earn Echo's favor, thus saving our universe.

[Does he really believe all that? He's not sure. It's a lot to even fucking think about and he really hasn't until now. Still trying to adjust to this world, being separated from his friends, all that. It's just been a whirlwind of events since he got his powers, a part of him just wanting to lie on the ground and close himself off from everyone so he has some time to deal with everything.

But instead, he's walking along with Shadow. He shoves his hands inside his pockets, frown increasing as he thinks about Aphaia.]

I doubt that planet survived. She kept on mentioning that it was a dying planet and I felt like I didn't do anything to help it. Unless you did. [Not that he wanted to stay there, but thinking that it's just going to be destroyed or whatever... it's not a great feeling.]

For someone who can save worlds, why couldn't she save that one?

[ that's the biggest question here. he'll put scott onto something he should think about, as he's not trying to instill skepticism, but it's always best to think fives steps head. ]

There are probably worlds that are more worst off than that one from a person here, if she couldn't save that one, who's to save she can save someone's here.

[ it's something shadow has been thinking about since he's left alongside where maria has went, where that copy of his had went to. his world isn't in any danger, but here, it's put it on the chopping block.

he doesn't trust it.

shadow doesn't really trust anything. ]

Apparently they're just deciding on which world survives or not. Doesn't matter if it's 'worse off' or not.

[Because the multiverse is too big?? How is that even possible? Well, guess there are like hundreds of parallel universes at least, but they're all still separate from each other, right? Or. Something. He doesn't know, but he doesn't like it either way. Thinking that some planets won't make it.

All those aliens on Alphaia... are they really just going to die? Even that asshole guy that chased him around? He didn't want that.

Scott continues to frown, clearly bothered by all this.]

But it's all bullshit to me. Deciding which planet survives. If they're even going to go through with their promise on saving ours.

No one has any proof that she's saved anything.

[ or no one he's spoken to has said anything about it which leads shadow to doubt. whether she's holding this to ensue doubt or there's more to her methods that she needs us to take part in, it doesn't seem truthful to him. prove him wrong, and he'll accept that he's wrong. ]

Filling an empty city with people, there's a possibility she's lonely.

[ and wants to watch them run around like rats.

... ]

Pretty sure most of the people in Etraya have been here longer than us. They're probably the best sources of information.

[He really hasn't gotten the chance to ask about all that stuff yet. Most of his focus was surviving on that other planet, and now that he's here... he pretty much only really talked to Aurora and some other recent arrivals. The quickest way to gain information is probably asking through the earpieces, but.

Too risky?? Scott sighs lightly, hands still in his pockets as he just wanders around without any real direction. Or just following Shadow, because he's his hostage--]

She's just a hologram though. Like she's not actually here. Probably working with that Echo person she mentioned.

[ aimless more like i need to open the map, for now they're going to have to figure it out on their own because shadow doesn't use this earpiece unless he has to. ]

No one has seen "Echo" believing word from Aurora that they exist, or they're accepting because there's no other choice available.

[ as shadow things about it, he probably would have caused damages until someone came out. he's better than that, he won't start destroying what's around him off a simple hunch. he glances at the other briefly, for an idiot who can't act, his thoughts do not reflect poor actions.

he waits, finding themselves now outside in the city where a companion bot closes the distance between them, holding out a map for them both to take. with a raises brow, shadow ignores the help as the bot now offers it to scott. ]

If you meet "her", you'll relay what you know to me.

[ child labor. ]

[Scott will take the map from the companion bot at least, because why not? Might be useful to have on hand. Give a good idea of the basic geography of this place and note anything of actual significance-- maybe see a place or two that's familiar to him. Somehow. They're on an entirely different planet, but there's probably something similar to McDonald's or some shit right. At least a diner.

Although, looking at Shadow... he doubts that the hedgehog wants to go there. Where does he want to go anyway?]

Right, sure boss.

[The teen's voice is dripping with sarcasm. He doesn't feel particularly indebted to do anything for him, but whatever. Honestly Scott's a little surprised that Shadow is even interested in hearing whatever information he has; he's well-aware of his low opinion of him. Something that he sort of wants to change, but at the same time, just brush the other off entirely. Teenage emotions--]

If I find their secret headquarters labeled on this map, I'll let you know.

[ child.

a roll of his eyes, the hedgehog continues walking and ignoring whatever quips the other has to say. he really is the least of shadow's problems, but he only brings him along like some sort of punishment.

despite his low opinion, he chooses the option that doesn't cause trouble down the line, and this being one of the many. ]

I'm sure it won't stand out to you.

[ he's much aware scott wouldn't even know what a secret headquarters is if it stood out to him in his face. ]

Choose a location.

[ and shadow is judging. ] We'll go there to see what it has to offer.

[ scott can get his happy meal... ]

[A punishment for both--

Scott just rolls his eyes as well, for once not rising to the bait and just letting Shadow's comment brush off him. Is it sad to say that he's used to it now? Maybe it helps to think that the grumpy animal treats everyone in pretty much the same way, he's just the lucky focus right now.]

Well, I'm going to the diner because I didn't get the chance to eat my croissant. [Because an angry hedgehog decided to pull him into a hostage situation.] That's the only battle I care about right now.

[Filling his stomach.]

[ he should be ecstatic that shadow even talks to him, it's rare for the hedgehog to even keep this going because he doesn't want to talk to anyone. has scott piqued his interest or is he just the unlucky punching bag of the day? ]

....

[ shadow doesn't even have to eat, but he feels as though he should take this opportunities because what if maria is hungry? ]

Alright.

[ stopping, he turns to look at scott as though he has to lead the way. ]

[Scott tries really hard to hide his surprise when Shadow agrees with his suggestion without any real question. Really? Just like that? He can't fully stop the way in which he blinks, head tilting at the hedgehog as if expecting the other to suddenly change his mind. Nothing? Well, okay?? Sure. His stomach is grateful because he is actually hungry.

Might as well head towards the diner before Shadow changes his mind.]

I'm getting pancakes. And bacon. [...] Definitely eggs too.

[He carries on like this isn't such a huge deal, the mutant leading them both-- and occasionally looking back at the map to make sure he's going in the right direction.]

[ damn, a hog says yes once and everyone is shocked??? can he just not care... damn. ]

...

[ pancakes. bacon. definitely eggs too.

is that what they sell there? he must be familiar with these spots. shadow isn't one to indulge in fast food places considering how his body is, he has no need for food. though there are others around that aren't like him, so he makes sure to keep this place and the three items in mind. ]

You didn't eat at the last place?

[ there was probably no time for it, but it gives shadow an idea of how well this boy takes care of himself. or if he's just someone who walks around trying to not be a problem when he is one. ]

No, guess you weren't there, but some angry hedgehog decided to keep me as his hostage.

[This is still a hostage situation?? Scott thinks so, maybe. It feels like he should care about something like that more, but mostly, he's just kind of tired and hungry and Shadow isn't grumbling at him for choosing the diner, so.

The teen continues to walk ahead with his hands in his pockets.]

What do hedgehogs eat?

You are an idiot. Noted.

[ is he going to explain, or even say how he was referring to the world they were in before coming here? no. does this inform him if scott has the energy to go a few more hours without food? also no. he's sure that he can, he's still a young, growing boy, this should be a cakewalk for him. ]

I may have the appearance, but I do not need to eat.

[ does that help scott out in any way, mostly he doesn't have to figure out what shadow wants to eat because nothing really stands out.

...unless. ]

And you're an asshole, noted.

[Is Shadow capable of saying anything else? Probably not. Scott just rolls his eyes and continues forward, because why bother saying anything else to him? Normally he'd try ditching someone like this, but hostage situation. Or whatever. He's still heading to the diner for food.]

Cool, more bacon and eggs for me. [Probably too good to eat human food. A part of him wonders if Shadow has even tried to eat anything before. Maybe that's why he's so grumpy, never had a pancake in his life. Just because he doesn't need to eat doesn't mean he can't enjoy it, right?

Humph.]

You should try something though.

[ yeah, scott has to unlock tiers, so right now he's at the idiot one, but with enough work, he can obtain better lines. this is only because shadow hates wasting his breath.

crimson eyes watch the other as he follows, never failing to look anywhere else. he's familiar with how simple everything is around them, like a normal city fitted with a normal forest surrounding. there's nothing of interest aside from the other before him with a unique ability, and he's still wearing those sunglasses too. ]

There's no need.

[ how many times does he have to tell this bum... food is not for him.

the hedgehog looks over the other's attire. ]

What is your world like?

[Fine, alright. He's not going to push the topic, it's really not worth it.

Scott just shrugs his shoulders, hands still inside the pockets of his jacket, as he continues on with a half grumpy expression. Maybe he'll feel better when he starts eating, but also, present company kind of sucks.]

It's Earth. Peaceful, mostly. [At least the place where he grew up. Also nothing like the last planet they were on.] You'd probably hate it.

Hm.

[ to say that shadow hates peace is quite the bold accusation, and yet he says nothing against the other's claim. if that's what he believes then so be it, only a fool would believe peace is something that should be hated. everyone desires their own form of "peace", definitions may vary.

if only shadow's life was peaceful. ]

And others, have you met anyone from your peaceful world?

[ he only asks to see if there's a consistent pattern. ]

No, I'm the only one. [That he knows of, at least.

Though, there's something clipped in his voice, like the topic is somehow a sore one for the teen. It's just. All those other mutants he's met and talked to so far are from a different universe than him. They know a version of Scott Summers, but not him. And to add insult to injury, they all seem to either dislike him or think he's a huge hardass or whatever else.

He's definitely gotten the feeling that he's not too popular and. It sucks to think about. His mood almost turns completely downward, but at least they're getting close to the diner now.]

[ ...

that's not what he was expecting. shadow doesn't look at him, he keeps his eyes forward, but the way the other's voice wavers.

...

do not begin to piss him off, scott. there's something to it, maybe, either he misses his friends or that he's not accepted among them. an outcast. it could be many reasons, but he doesn't add that he's made friends with... any of the other humans, but it's hard to tell when the others here also have unique abilities much like his, but shadow has seen how they fraternize with one another and laugh.

has scott not taken part in that luxury with any of them?

as they close in on the diner, the hedgehog pushes the door first. ]

Choose the seat in the far back.

[ he knows when there's topics that a person shouldn't stay on. ]

[He offers no complaints or snide remarks regarding that 'order,' Scott moving his way to the far back seat before sliding into the booth. It seems that his mood is still more on the grumpy side, though he's at least taking a good look at the menu in front of him. Food sounds good. Hopefully they have an unhealthy shake that he can get too.]

...

[Scott continues to let that silence continue between them. He thought about asking Shadow if he knows anyone from his world here, but that might go into the blonde girl again, and he'd rather avoid that whole thing. No repeat performances, thanks.] So. You plan on just watching me eat. I'm not going to eat faster because of it.

No.

[ because in the back area, he can see who comes in and who is around already. his eyes never fall on scott, instead, they're searching between every unfamiliar face here who comes to this place.

scott is a human, much like maria... maybe humans tend to enjoy the same things. he knows what she likes, but that doesn't mean he understands on a human level. he's an alien masquerading as a hedgehog, there's nothing about him that makes him alike to her.

he won't say it, but maybe because scott is so... scott that maybe a human like him will lead him to her.

or so he hopes. ]

Eat. I don't want you dragging me down.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL MINGLE

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sorry for the late! getting back from con stuff

you should be sorry!! (dont be hope you had fun :3)

i did! thank you :>

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