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

[cantilevers]

[The social game with all its need for beats of a conversation and flirting was something that he had always enjoyed. Prickly people were usually the most interesting as it required effort, but honestly, everything about this was for achieving fun. It wasn't as if he was going to take one of these big birds to the city, but her on the other hand? He might just do that if she was open to it.

More than likely, they also might just throw down out here in the grass in a spar.]

She has a point, bird. Apparently he likes your shoe laces. Maybe I should be the one chasing him off if he's flirting with you, right? I can't tell based on his expression just what his intentions are.

[cactusy]

Not an expert on weird bird body language, huh.

[She plucks up one of the pieces of greenery that Vander had been trying to feed the birds, holding it out for this one to take. It fixes her with a suspicious eye... and then takes the leaf from her hand.

Ha! Success! Shaw shoots Vander a smug look. Looks like he does indeed have competition.]

[cantilevers]

Well, first time I've been this close to a bird before, so yeah.

[He watched her attempt to feed the big flightless creature and shook his head when she had better luck than him. While he didn't want to startle the creature and lose their opportunity to interact with it, he still had to lean into the ruse that they were upkeeping here.

So, he stepped up and casually slid an arm across her shoulders, providing the bird a disapproving look. He pulled a green out and offered it, and it seemed to consider before warily coming up to finally take it from his hand.]

Well, well, maybe it wants a threesome.

[cactusy]

A bestiality joke? That's awful.

[She says it the way she says most things - subdued, and without much vocal modulation - but it comes with an amused little half-smile.]

I warmed him up for you.

[cantilevers]

You don't associate with me because I'm a beacon of moral purity.

[From his experience with her, she wasn't easy to offend. Besides, it was all fun and games until someone was kicked across a field because a giant bird had to defend itself. They were here to make friends.

He was still draped over her shoulder, looking their new companion over and nodding his head.]

Those are some skills you have there. I was never in any doubt.

[cactusy]

[Shaw's body language is perhaps a little strange. She's loose and relaxed, showing no signs whatsoever of being bothered by the casual touch, but she's not reciprocating it: no leaning in, no little touches of her own. It doesn't have the air of a purposeful rebuff. It's more that, with the bulk of her attention elsewhere, it comes off as her body genuinely not knowing how to do these little touchy-feely things without her brain actively directing it to.

She does wiggle another piece of greenery at one of the other chocobos in the group, though, even as she says:]

Whatever. My kestrel's cooler. Eats meat, hunts its own food...

[cantilevers]

[Vander took no offense to the lack of reciprocation. He was perfectly comfortable in social situations like these, yet he was also reading her body language to be certain he was not pushing her boundaries with his overt friendliness. For his part, it was to make people think he was overly friendly, that he may have little else but size and a smile under it all.

Overly friendly disarmed people or put them on edge. Anyone looking at them would perhaps see him pushing his luck. Maybe he was.]

These birds seem perfectly content to forage without our assistance. Does your kestrel have a name?

[cactusy]

Yeah, actually. It does.

[Or it does now, anyway. Thanks, Harold!]

Karla. Want to meet her?

[cantilevers]

Karla? I like it. Good strong name.

[He tilted his head to look up as if expecting this kestrel to appear out of nowhere without her prompting.]

Sure, hope she doesn't steal the show.

[cactusy]

Nah, the dog does that.

[Karla the kestrel is cool and all, but nobody holds a candle to Bear, and she's loyal to him 'til the end.

Unlike Bear, Karla does not come when called - though she does tend to drop in on Shaw frequently, so she doesn't feel quite like she's digging for a nail in a haystack as she makes a slow 360-degree turn, shading her eyes with a hand as she hunts the treetops. And sure enough-- there.

She adjusts her sleeve to make sure that her leather jacket is fully covering her skin, then lets out a loud whistle, holding out an arm. Just a few seconds later, a jet-black kestrel is soaring towards them - directly towards them, in a way that might make Vander want to duck.]

[cantilevers]

And a dog?

[She was just full of tricks. No wonder this oversized bird had taken to her so much. She obviously had a way with animals, and of course he looked properly impressed when Karla made an appearance, even ducking as the smaller bird swooped in.

He looked at the kestrel in question as he had never seen one before. Topside had predator birds that could be summoned, but it wasn't really the undercity thing.]

It feels like you're showing off to impress me a little now.