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

[sabigoe]

[ She pauses coloring for a moment, thinking and fiddling with the little piece of pink chalk in her fingers. ]

I like lots of colors. I also like pink. [ Matching—that may have been something she used to do too back home, once upon a time with children her age. Before they turned their backs on her anyway. She nods. ]

Friends like to match sometimes. [ Fio tends to consider most people that are nice to her a friend, but she asks anyway: ] ...Do you wanna be friends, Laura? I wanna be friends.

[shoplifter]

[Laura nods again, without hesitation.]

I like having friends.

I had friends at home, but we weren't allowed to do things friends were supposed to be able to do.

[An understatement of sorts, but true!]

[sabigoe]

[ Her smile widens for a moment. Yay, new friend!

She puts her chalk down on the pavement, adding a nice bright pink line to her drawing. ]

...Weren't allowed? How come?

[shoplifter]

[She speaks very matter of factly. If children are supposed to be shielded from the horrors of reality, she certainly doesn't register it. Besides, if this girl is here? Then she probably has some horrible things at home, too.]

We were made in labs, and we weren't allowed to be like normal kids.

The X-23 project was for making children like me into weapons.

[sabigoe]

[ More than some horrible things. Where she came from is a place that held memories and humanity's sins. Tales of child soldiers and people born from experiments—were some of the many memories kept in that place. She doesn't know the full details, but she once accompanied others who may have a similar history. Her smile fades into a small frown as she scribbles. X-23 Project? Not sure what the numbers and the letter means, but she already doesn't like the sound of it.

And she's been through her own terrors. Though her own history is different, there was a lack of freedom in having fun like a child should. As well as arbitrary titles thrown around that made others view her less than a person. Fio did have some semblance of a childhood once, but it was extremely short-lived. ]

I bet you must be happier here. No one can see you as a weapon. They can see you as... you. Whoever you wanna be. You're a friend to lots of people now.

[ That much she can tell from Laura's drawing. She finishes working with the pink chalk, setting it down. Leaning back to reveal her little doodle on the pavement.



...

Without thinking, she smears some chalk residue on her white dress. Oops. ]

Sorry, I'm not as good as you yet...

[shoplifter]

[Laura looks surprised at first, one she realizes what she's looking at. Sobered and quiet, she kneels down as if she has to be closer to Fio's drawing or she won't see it fully. With a little awe that probably seems ridiculous in any other situation, she says:]

Nobody's ever drawn a picture of me before.

[None she's seen, anyway. The idea of someone else perceiving her and replicating her like this, in a way that is gracious? It makes her feel... content. Somewhere out there, there's boxes and boxes of files about X-23-23 that doesn't matter anymore.]

[sabigoe]

[ It's not Fio's first time drawing anyone at all, but it's been a very long time since the last time she was able to draw for fun. Maybe the last time she did was scribbling on dirt with a stick, all alone in her secret playground far in the outskirts of her town. And the other time, further back into the past, she presented a drawing as a gift, only to have her mother slap it out of her hand. ]

Hehe. I'm glad to be the first then!

[ She sits up, giving Laura a little space to look closer. Reaching up, she rubs a bit at her face, smearing some chalk on her face. She smiles. ]

I hope you like it.