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]

[ If they happen upon dragonets, Dion can certainly teach her how to befriend those dragons. For now, though, he nods and offers her one of the gysahl greens. ]

You should hold this on your palms, keeping your fingers flat. That makes it far easier for a chocobo to avoid nipping you with its beak.

[ He pauses for a moment, considering, then adds— ]

Also, hold it out and away from you. Chocobos are quite eager when it comes to their favorite food, so they might crowd closer than they intend.

[ Fio is quite petite, so this seems a safe provision. ]

[sabigoe]

...Is this okay?

[ As instructed, Fio takes the greens in her palms, stands. Arms out straight, to hold the vegetable further away from her body. Shifting on her heel, to face towards the chocobos. She looks a little nervous, even if she's been face to face with much bigger creatures. ]

Here, Greenie, Greenie. Brownie, Brownie...

[ Yes, she has decided "Greenie" and "Brownie" will be the names of these birds. Which one's Brownie? It could be any of them. Or all of them? She will worry about that later! ]

[oblige]

Yes, that should do.

[ Dion remains still, though he is ready to intervene if necessary. He watches quietly as the chocobos tip their heads, scenting the air. They don't take long to hone in on the greens, sidling up to Fio as though their interest is at all subtle...

And then they descend upon the greens with an enthusiastic chorus of kwehs, jockeying with each other for more eager bites of their favorite vegetable. It all but vanishes from her hands in mere moments, leaving the birds to watch her expectantly.

Is there more...? ]

[sabigoe]

[ A tense several seconds pass as the feathered creatures approach to take her offering. They're so much cuter up close. She cracks a small grin, both excited and slightly on edge. Within moments, the food is gone from her hands. Success! Clearly, one bulb of greens isn't enough to satisfy a couple of massive birds. ]

See that? I did it, I did it! [ She announces proudly, lightly bouncing on her heels. She casts a quick glance back at Dion to make sure he's paying attention, even if he can clearly see the event happen with his own two eyes. For such a small accomplishment, she's very pleased. The birds remain close and she feels their expectant gaze. ] Aw... still hungry, guys? Here's another.

[ Hopefully Dion won't mind as she picks out another green from his satchel. Asking if she could grab from his supply would be polite manners, but she's forgotten with her excitement. Again Fio repeats the process with more confidence, holding out the vegetable for the eager birds. ]

[oblige]

You did indeed.

[ Dion smiles encouragingly, though he doesn't know whether the girl even sees it in her excitement. It warms his tone nonetheless. How long had it been since he'd seen a child enjoy something simple like this? In a life largely spent in one military campaign or another, it's a rare sight for Dion, and he realizes this as the chocobos once more eagerly devour the greens with which they are presented.

The reality is that they will happily consume as much of their favorite food as they can get. As soon as it's gone, they begin glancing around for more. Near as they are to the satchel, they can certainly small that more gysahl is in the vicinity, even if they haven't spied it just yet.

Perhaps he ought to tell her that, but Dion wouldn't want to spoil her fun. Dominants like himself and Joshua were expected to fight for their homelands from a young age, but this girl seems younger still. For her entire world to have been placed upon her shoulders... Even for him, it's difficult to fathom.

Let her enjoy the respite as she likes. ]

[sabigoe]

[ While she only gives a quick glance back at Dion before immediately shifting focus back onto the birds, she can hear his praise. Just a simple acknowledgement from an adult brightens her mood just a little more. It's nice to hear, especially when validation from her parents was nonexistent. Or maybe they did, when she was a lot smaller, far too young and incapable of telling that she looked nothing like them. She remembers her father being too busy. And most of all, her mother with her angry voice and her scent sometimes reeking of alcohol.

She bends down, reaching into the satchel for more food. One of the brown chocobos creeps a little closer as she does. ]

Wait a second, Brownie.

[ A giggle. These poor birds are doomed to her silly nicknames. Who knows if they'll stumble upon the same flock again, but it's fun to give names! Speaking of names, she didn't get a chance to ask for his yet. ]

Um... what's your name, by the way? I'm Fio. Thank you for teaching me how to feed the birdies.

[oblige]

[ The chocobo seems unperturbed by the nickname, rapt interest focused instead on the greens she procures. Dion's smile remains. ]

A pleasure to meet you, little lady Fio.

[ Dion acknowledges her introduction first, as smoothly polite as he so often is. Yet the words sound no less sincere for it. She is a little lady so far as he need be concerned. ]

My name is Dion.

[ He leaves off the rest for the time being. Rank and title weigh so little on the scale of worlds, of universes. It matters not what he was, for he is fighting for his world in this place, just the same as anyone else. ]