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

Well that's certainly very generous of you... ( and in that moment inara realized her lack of proper manners. so immediately when she was close enough to the other, she extended her hand out for a proper handshake and smiled up at her. ) I'm Inara Serra, a pleasure.

( with the introductions out of the way, the painfully obvious came to light. as much as they both happened to look quite good in their outfits, it was far from helpful to their cause. so she simply nodded at the other and pulled forth some greens she happened to have on her person. )

You're absolutely right, let's see if we can lure the bird back and hopefully we won't get too wet?

[Inara? where had she heard that name before? certainly she'd heard it somewhere. Maria takes her hand in a handshake as she tries to remember.] I'm Maria. [and then when her hand goes back to her side, she figures she will have to keep thinking. too bad Maria was such a common name.]

They seemed to like it when you were just sitting here so how about we just sit here for a bit and talk quietly? Might as well get to know each other.

[and Maria can try to figure out how she knew her name.]

( the warmth of maria's hand still seemed to radiate against inara, long after they had finished up their proper greetings and were well onto sharing their names. although she had been intrigued by the gift, she supposed there would be many others she could find and stumble upon. for now a better opportunity seemed to be at hand—

the chance to make an ally, a friend, because despite how kind inara could be she always had to look out for herself. it was a burden that came with being a woman in her line of work, and being here alone meant she had to find ways to protect and establish herself. even if she wasn't going to be working as a companion for the time being. )

That sounds like a great suggestion, I only wish we had someone to partake in while we talk. That's alright though, here come sit.

( and quickly she turned towards the rock she had been sitting on, walking towards it. )

How long have you been here? In Etraya?

[one of Maria's first actions was to make friends. she'd been told it was good to have allies and didn't she know that. Maria had made friends simply because she wanted friends anyway but it didn't hurt to have people who could help you.

and this seemed like a great chance to make another.

she goes to sit with Inara, sitting close to her.] Almost half a year? Wow. That's crazy to think about.

( despite being new to this world and all on her own, the closeness of the other woman didn't seem to bother inara at all. in fact it gave her an opportunity to full observe the other and all of her details.

the bright pink ends of her hair, the butterfly tattoo on her chest, and the way she seemed to present herself. she didn't want to assume but there was something about this woman that almost spoke to inara. as if the two had something they bond over—

but for now she focused on her answer. her name was maria and she had been here almost half a year....and was she the one dating henry? it was time to investigate. )

That's quite a long time, I hope you'll be able to provide me some tips on surviving the missions? But there's something else I wanted to ask you.

( as she said that, she subtly shuffled towards maria's direction, knees tucking away her legs yet still getting closer. )

Do you know a man named Henry?

[Maria liked to be looked at. maybe it was part of why she dressed the way she did. there was always cleavage and plenty of leg to look at. to her, it felt like a compliment if anybody did check her out. besides, she knew she looked good like this.

and Inara seemed to have a similar confidence. Maria found herself looking Inara over as well, feeling many of the same feelings that Inara was. she was pretty, Maria thought. in such a way that felt both natural and perfectly created at the same time. but still real, still existing. Inara exuded beauty.

she blinks at the question and then realizes.] Oh, that's how I knew your name! Henry told me. [she laughs.] Henry told me he told you that we were dating. Sorry, I hadn't met you yet so the name didn't stick with me as much. Him and I aren't really dating. Back during that mission, I was a bit worried about him. He came in with such a high score and that meant eyes would be on him. I didn't know what to do about myself, not much a fighter, and he's not a very...outgoing guy. I thought it'd help us both out if we pretended to be a couple. Henry took it very seriously.

He's single. [Maria smirks.] So am I.

( although inara had no qualms about being polite and proper around a taken man, she was quite curious about everything she was hearing. at the time henry came across as very polite, accommodating, and even gentle— but he seemed very strange and even intense to inara. it seemed like he had a difficult time placing himself in reality and while she had dealt with at least one other person like that, she was left perplexed.

she had simply assumed he didn't want to become too attached to a woman when he had one waiting for him. yet this reveal left her even more curious.

was henry just an intense man after all? it was difficult to truly determine. )

Oh I see....I didn't realize things were so difficult in that world but it's a smart strategy. I wasn't there long enough to try and figure out a plan for myself but...

I must say Maria, you are a very intelligent woman it seems.

( not that she was trying to butter her up for any particular reason, but clearly she was trying to be her ally. )

That Henry was rather nice, but is he always so....intense and dreamlike?

Intelligent? [clearly a word Maria doesn't hear often. not that anybody has ever implied her to be dumb or anything like that but Maria doesn't consider herself smart.] I don't know. I was an exotic dancer back home. You just learn how to put on a show, you know?

[as for Henry, she shrugs.] All the time. [she smiles.] He's sweet, though. He always means well and I think that's why he's so serious. He doesn't want to disappoint people or let them down. Which is why he took what he and I did so seriously. He was afraid of letting me down.

It's what I think, anyway.

( when it came to associates from the same line of work as her, regardless of whatever role they happened to take on, she held her judgements far from them. however it was easy to see or understand why maria had taken on such a position with henry. her answer didn't quite subscribe to intelligence, no—

she did it to survive. it was a tactic inara herself had been trying to employ while here, but it also meant they had a kinship, one not understood by many people. yet should she tell this woman her secrets? would she look down on her or would they truly become friends?

she decided to take a chance. )

I got that vibe from him as well.....it's quite easy for me to read people's intentions and energies you know? Actually you should...

( and in no attempts to scare her, inara smiled softly. )

Because you and I are quite similar. Back in my world, I wasn't an exotic dancer but I understand that line of work.

[Maria had not met anybody else in her line of work here. even if her situation was unique, Maria knew what she had been meant to be and what her 'memories' were of.

so there's an understanding smile when Inara says as much.]

Then you get it. I did sense something about you. Kinship, I guess? I haven't met anybody else here who does similar things. But I also don't hide what I did. People have been fine about it.

Is that right?

( there's just a subtle twinge of doubt dripping from her words as she gave one look to maria. it was truly nothing personal but given even the captain of her own ship had called her a 'whore' without hesitation during moments of intense anger, she just wasn't sure what the general stance of people here were.

especially since she did far more than stripping. still with a soft smile she looked at maria and then to the side. )

I'm glad you're so open about it then, that means we can be friends without worry. I....I'm technically a courtesan of sorts, a companion if you will. In my world this is something you train for from a young age, but sex isn't brought up until you're an adult. It's a line of work that is very intense with sex being the final act.

[as subtle as it is, Maria can hear that Inara isn't sure if this is really possible. she was just quick to pick up on things like that, probably because of what her job and role had been. Inara was correct about that. just like Maria understands why Inara might feel skeptical. people were quick to judge and honestly, Maria had just wanted the judgment out of the way. but nobody here had done so. it had been a pleasant surprise.

as Inara explains her job, Maria listens carefully. she nods along as it's explained.] I guess it's similar to what people used to do in our history. That type of thing is illegal back home. In most places anyway. Not like it stops anybody. [she gives a knowing look but there wasn't a hint of judgment in Maria's voice. who was she to judge? from how Inara explains it, she thinks she would have done something similar if she'd had the option.]

With no money here, it kind of makes jobs a weird thing, huh? Especially in this kind of career.

That's part of the reason why it became legalized and a professional skill in my world, yet despite that....there are unfortunately people who still look down upon it regardless if it's a sponsored job from the government. However those things don't really matter...

( not here anyways, it wasn't like she was going to continue her work here. a thought that seemed to come in at the right moment given maria's next statement. )

Don't worry, I wasn't going to continue that line of work here by any means. I'm not....I find that unless I'm making money or friends, I'd prefer not to entertain many men these days. The female clients are always the best anyways....I always said, one can never be their true self in front of a man after all.

( inara might be giving just a bit more information than necessary here, but even with henry she found herself behaving a certain way to manage how strange [yet kind] he had been. perhaps in a way she was hinting that she wanted to be friends with maria....perhaps she could let her guard down around the other. )

[people were always going to look down on women, Maria knew. it was just a common theme in the world. every world, it seemed. unfortunately. while she was different than most women, given her origins, Maria thought this was something she could understand with many of the other girls here.

and there's a knowing smile.] You can't, can you? [around other men, Maria always felt like she was still putting on an act. it was supposed to be only one man she needed to do this for and yet she continued to act in certain ways she thought they'd like. it was ingrained in her.]

Well, we don't have to worry about that with each other, now do we? [she says with a wink and a friendly nudge of her shoulder.]

It's difficult isn't it? You let your guard down and before you know it, they want more than what's fair.

( she's sure she doesn't need to explain it, after all inara is more than positive that maria knew what she meant by that— to receive help from certain types of men, especially ones who knew of their work only led to trouble. payment in the form of sex was never off the table for them.

it was part of the reason she was a bit concerned about henry offering her help so willingly but knowing he was friends with maria and wasn't a bad person put her at ease. enough so that when maria nudged her shoulder, she smiled and laughed a bit, touching her hand almost too tenderly. )

I should hope not, you're quite witty....reliable perhaps? Most certainly quite beautiful....

( she wasn't trying to flirt but.... )

[with Inara's reaction, her comment, Maria recalls what they had been discussing. men expected things. Maria had been created with intention. her job, her background, brought forth expectations. there were decent men here. Maria knew plenty of them and she considered herself lucky because she didn't expect it. not as if this was the norm because it wasn't. Maria could only imagine the stories that Inara had.

and so her comment, which could come off as flirting (she had made the comment that she preferred her female clients after all...), made Maria want to indulge in it as if it were flirting. Maria was forward when given the chance. if it was unwanted, she'd back off. Inara could turn her down if she wasn't feeling it. Maria wouldn't be offended. and she'd been with man after man. women were far easier to be around.

she moves in closer, making sure their legs would be touching.] I could throw those compliments back at you. Definitely smart and definitely beautiful. [there was a playful smile on her lips and it went into her tone as well.]

( there was something in the air about this interaction— given that inara typically strove to be in control at all times of the situations she was in, of the the people she flirted with and yet…

maria made her feel as if she could let her guard down for once. far beyond just being another woman, she was a confidant in a way. they both knew what it was like to be viewed as only a tool for pleasure and while inara’s experiences were slightly less harsh, marred with fancier pleasures, it was still the same gritty work at the end of the day.

as their legs touched, inara let out a soft sigh of content. there was a faint blush on her face as she heard the compliment, almost feeling like a young school girl in a way with how bashful it was making her feel.

without hesitation, her hand reached out to touch the side of the other’s face, finger tips pressing into her skin as she brushed away a strand of hair. they hardly knew each other and yet she felt a subtle pull to this woman. )

Look at us, aren’t we a pair. I sense this could be the start of a great friendship…if I’m not being too forward.

If I am….stop me.

( not that she’s moving further, but there’s a pulse on her lips almost as if she wanted to kiss the other. a friendly kiss really—

to seal their friendship. )

Why would I stop you?

[Maria's entire purpose was to be forward. James might have been uncomfortable by it but Silent Hill had created her to be this way for a reason. and simply, Maria didn't know how else to be. the idea of rejection always hurt, made her fearful for anything more than something simple and easy. not everybody had indulged Maria's flirting but nobody had reacted badly to it. such as Harold and his uncomplicated rebuffing. which was fine but Maria found she liked it when people took to her flirting much better.

Inara obviously did.

similar to Inara, Maria felt the same pull. her eyes looking at her lips before finding themselves back to her eyes.]

Especially if this is all coming from you. [you could cut the tension with a knife and Maria didn't bother to hold back. it wasn't her style to do so. she leaned in to brush her lips over Inara's, allowing the other to stop it if it was too much and Maria had somehow misread the situation.]

That's a good answer.

( her voice is much softer now, almost as if she were in a trance. there were a number of reasons why inara would indulge in such a delightful little act— to distract herself from being bitterly rejected by the captain of her ship back in her world, to handle the stress of being in a new place, or simply put because for the first time in ages, inara felt comforted. she didn't have to comfort someone else, put on airs and take such a protective stance around her person. no, maria was a beautiful woman who seemed eager to be her friend and she was henry's friend. they seemed like two people she could genuinely come to trust.

so when the other woman leaned in, her hand took a more possessive hold of her face, luring her further into her space before finally closing the miniscule gap between them. as their lips pressed against each other, inara sighed gently against the affection, lingering in the moment for far too long.

she didn't push for anything more sensual— something about that didn't feel right, but this? this subtle innocent kiss between the two felt tender. eventually though all good things had to come to an end and she pulled back, smiling brightly. )

I'm glad we seem to think in a similar manner. Truly Maria....I think we're going to be very good friends.

[a moment didn't always have to lead to sex and that was something people like Inara and Maria understood because of their work. sometimes it was best for a kiss to remain a kiss.

and this was a nice kiss. affectionate and a promise of their friendship and companionship. a kiss could just be that. only a kiss. it felt warm and safe just being simple. Maria liked that.

she does find Inara's hand to give a squeeze.]

I think we will be. Gals like us have to stick together.

You're absolutely right about that Maria, and I'm here for you anytime you want to vent about the 'old days'.

( as high as tensions built up leading up to the kiss, inara found herself breaking from it with a jovial smile on her face and a bright laugh to match it. with their hands together, squeezing gently as she looked at the other, she felt there was something more about this mysterious woman than what was presented at the surface.

yet she had no desires to push for more, to ask her more of what she wanted to divulge inara with. after all, she had her own secrets and emotions bottled deep within. all she could do was enjoy this new friendship for what it was. )

Well how about we celebrate by going an easier gift then? I'm sure we've spoked away all the birds for now and I certainly don't want to dive into unchartered waters.

( without waiting for an answer, inara rose up from the rock, still holding maria's hand. )

Shall we?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL MINGLE

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cw: sw discussions

cw: sw discussions

cw: sw discussions, brief derogatory word mention

cw: sw discussions

cw: sw discussions moving forward for the rest of the thread

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going to wrap this up here, for camp shennanigans ♥