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

[welcome_summer]

You have no idea how valuable cooking skills are, until you're surrounded by people who haven't had to and now are forced to learn. And I'll keep that in mind, during mission off-seasons.

[She does not need fancy supplies, so as long as food keeps being generated, it should be doable.

But seeing Cloud's attention being caught by the gifts, Mayuko opens the sack wider with a grin.]

Two presents in one, looks like! Go on, then, Mr. Disinterested. I'm eager to see what that is, myself.

[nimbuster]

I bet. One thing everybody always needs - good food.

[It was one reason Seventh Heaven was so popular, after all. Tifa's a hell of a cook.

He pulls the package out of the satchel and sets it down on the closest table, gesturing with his head to let her know she can come in, too. There's not a whole lot to the place, he hasn't really customized it or anything, aside from the chocobo stuff and the cat stuff - this cat is lounging in what looks like a pet bed if the pet were the size of a human, watching Mayuko warily.

There is also, of course, a giant sword leaning up against a wall nearby.]

It looks like a Queen's Blood deck with a board. Only one way to find out for sure...

[And he opens the box without ceremony and indeed pulls out the whole set - board, castle, chips and bowls, the works. And inside the pouch is the deck of cards he expected. Cloud isn't much of a smiler, but he does look pleased.]

Yup.

[welcome_summer]

[Mayuko follows Cloud in with a quick "sorry for disturbing you". She can't really judge him for having more household goods for the animals than for himself. Her place is set up so that her toad from the wizard library has a spacious tank and areas to hop around, and then there are the things for her cat....

She leans in as the game is unboxed. There are cards games where the cards are arranged in certain patterns, but using a board grid? Color her intrigued.]

Queen's Blood--what an ominous name! How do you play it?

[nimbuster]

Ominous is right. Whole game was haunted by its creator and its own mythology before we took care of it.

[That sure is a totally normal thing to say.

He opens the deck box and pulls the cards out, flipping through them.]

Wait a second...this is my collection.

[And the several decks he'd built back home, too, still assembled. Huh.]

We each have a side of the board and lay out cards where the markers are. Each card has some effect - might create more markers, destroy 'em, turn the other person's into yours, change numbers, all kinds of stuff. And every card's got a point value that's kinda like its health. If it hits zero, card gets destroyed. Once nobody can put down any more cards, we total up our points in each row, and whoever has the most in a row wins that row. Then, whoever has the most overall points in rows they won, wins the game.

Wanna try it out?

[It's almost like he's been jonesing to play some Queen's Blood for months now, and Aurora - or whoever - granted his wish or something. Well, he's not complaining.]

[welcome_summer]

[The most normal thing to say! Mayuko's definition of normal has expanded since she's left home, though.]

"Took care of it"? What did you have to do?

[She makes a "gimme" gesture towards the cards. Not that she has anything going on, herself; she wants to see what she'd be working with before agreeing. See if she can match up Cloud's description to

It can't be harder than hanafuda or poker... hopefully.]

... sure, I'm game.