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⏴

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[ If she knew that he once had someone, she would have more to say. She doesn't know. And she's left to believe that he just doesn't understand. Even if she knew, she's going to keep worrying about him. ]

I don't think so...

[ Then Fio's reminded of the gift, glancing back down at the box in her hands. She exhales a small sigh of her own. Maybe it would be best to backtrack to the city, before she gets too far away. They're bound to run into each other again, as long as he remains in Etraya. ]

...

What are you planning to do next?

Hm.

[ what a curious question coming from her, especially when they're looking for who the gift belong to. he says this with ease as though it's the most obvious thing in the world: ]

Checking here, then we go to your apartments to see if it belongs to anyone there. If not there, shopping centers, but there's only so many places the humans here frequent.

[ well, as much as he can say after this he's leaving to keep to himself, he's focused on the task at hand. well, in her hand, really. she's the only reason he's even doing this. ]

Did you change your mind?

Huh? Um...

[ ...Oh. Wait, what? She hears that "we" in there! She's not going to point that out. A lengthy pause, because she was about ready to accept defeat and continue the rest of the search by herself. Did he change his mind too?

Shadow really could just leave. Fio isn't a difficult person to just leave behind. No matter how stubborn she is in trying to constantly follow him, the hedgehog should be able to easily lose her. Just like that moment back in Aphaia. Especially since she's an ordinary child, for the most part. But he's still here...

Shaking her head, a very faint smile returns. ]

I didn't change my mind. Let's keep looking. [ Looking around at their surroundings once more. Focusing on the task at hand, see... ] It really doesn't look like anyone else is around here, so maybe we should go back to check the apartments soon.

[ she knows that he could leave, he only chooses not to because he's offering his patience to her. as long as she doesn't push it, and searching for an owner isn't as tiring as it should be especially if they don't find them.

it'd prove that it was a waste of her time, and that he was right. ]

You can check around your apartment.

[ that would be more familiar for her and give her an opportunity to ask anyone else that's close to her. there could be someone who is familiar enough to claim the piece of fabric, and if not, shadow knows he's not going out of his way to ask where he stays.

he's simply supervising her to make sure she doesn't get in trouble. ]

We can move to another building, a diner, then you can ask anyone if they know who it belongs to.

[ ... ] They sell pancakes, bacon and definitely eggs too.

[ he's kind of repeating what he's heard but it's fine. ]

[ In the end, they might not find the owner. To her, it won't feel like a waste of time because she gets to spend more time around the grumpy hedgehog.

Fio's head perks up at the mention of food. Of course, she isn't forgetting the task. She's only a human child, who will eventually need to stop and eat sometimes. She's going to need the energy from food to keep up with their search. ]

...Can we go to the diner first?

[ It's on the way, near more buildings they can search. So they're still being productive! ]

...

[ he stares at her for a brief moment, shadow can't be that annoyed since he brought it up. ]

Alright, let's go.

[ does fio know which way the diner is? probably not, he doubts it, that's why he watches what she does first before walking to her side, stopping and then getting down on his knees.

anyone else, he wouldn't, but it'd take too much time walking through the forest to getting to the diner. before, he had allowed her to walk, this time, he'll give her a chance to save some energy. ]

...

[ Not really. She assumes the diner is located wherever the apartments are. Nearby, somewhere! Turning around, she chooses to backtrack down the path she was on earlier, believing that it would eventually lead back to the city as long as they keep on walking. She comes to a halt, looking curiously as Shadow stops right next to her.

Of course, she's aware of how strong he is, knowing he'd be able to carry her with ease. But she has some energy left to walk on her own... ]

...I'm not tired yet, Darkie.

...

[ is that what she thinks this is, him being considerate on whether she's tired or not? it's nothing like that, and he even looks at her as though the response doesn't make sense to him. ]

Mm.

[ he doesn't explain himself much like most situations, instead he returns to standing properly. ]

Start running.

[ they can still save time, and maybe she'll be able to make it just before the breakfast portion of the diner turns into lunch. ]

I'll be behind you.

[ Unless she's in life threatening danger, she doesn't see the need to run right now. If her legs can still work, she can walk with her own two legs! Even if she had a limp too, she'd just keep dragging herself along...

She doesn't know how a diner works because she's never been to one. He just said there's food there... they have pancakes, eggs, bacon? To her, that sounds like food for the rich! Probably not as glamorous as some of the food she's received in Aphaia because of her rank at the time. It's still much more above the food that she's used to eating.

She continues towards the same direction, at a leisurely pace. ]

But I'll get tired a lot quicker if I run...

That's not the point, you'll lose time.

[ as much as he doesn't want to elaborate, he feels as though there's no choice. ]

There's only certain times they have certain foods, aren't you aware of that?

[ he thought she'd be familiar, that would save some time and orevent them from having to come the next day. if they're going now, then they have to go. anything else in the way and she'll lose out on trying what he's suggested.

shadow's already looking towards her for an answer. ]

Oh... [ A head shake. ] I didn't know that.

[ In the Cage, there did not seem to be an actual necessity to eat when everything and everyone was made of data. But in her human memory, the commoners had rations. On a lucky day, sometimes there would be homemade vegetable stew, a little bit of bread, and an apple for dessert. And when her family was thrust into the lowest part of the social ladder, there were some days where she would have to miss out on meals.

Her time on the alien planet may be the most she's been able to eat in a long time. While in Etraya, she's been relying on the cafe closest to the apartments to sustain herself. Mostly little pastries and small savory foods.

...She's only starting to get back into a normal human habit of eating a healthy amount or enough that she isn't starving. ]

I've never been to a diner before. They don't have those where I come from, I think. I don't think I'd be allowed inside of one if there was.

[ If they change the menu, it would probably be something that Fio would still be satisfied with. But Shadow doesn't want to waste any more time... ]

Do you want pancakes, bacon, and eggs?

I don't want anything.

[ he has no reason to eat, as a manmade creation, his body wasn't given the means to humor hunger. shadow can go every day for the rest of his life not indulging, and if he does, it's only for the time spent and the taste, but it does nothing to him. there's a different energy that runs through his body keeping him going, and food isn't a replenishment for it. ]

You are a human, I'm only relaying what I've heard another human say.

[ it sounds like the desired food, something she would like considering she's a child, and their tastes aren't that picky.

this is how he tries to understand fio, he uses what information that he had with maria to try and apply to other individual's daily life.

fio has to eat. ]

Why wouldn't you be allowed?

...Hm? A diner sounds like a place for important people. [ Then she adds a helpful detail for more context, slightly embarrassed. ] Not... for the poor.

[ That much she says. She tends to avoid bringing up her own history in conversation, especially the ugly details, but she answers if specifically asked. She doesn't like so much being associated with the social rank that her country gave her, even if it's now so long ago in the past.

"Important" as in the nobility—the rich and upper class. That was over a millennia ago from her Earth's present, although the passage of time might feel less than that in Fio's mind. Not an era that exists anymore and only in a recording in a massive database of memories. A simple hot breakfast food would be a dream for her. Honestly, everything that she's been given so far—the food and clean lodging with a comfortable bed feels like a dream.

She puts a foot forward in a lunge. Might be better if she had her arms free up, but she has a gift box to carry. After missing his first offer, she will run on her own two feet. ]

I'll start running soon. Are you sure you don't want anything? ...Do you get hungry?

[ his eyes fall upon her with the additional context, shadow clicks his tongue, and he feels as though he's learned too much. too much in a sense that what he knows of her has built that's able to flesh out the type of individual that she is.

he liked it better when it was more barebones, that she was an annoying girl who didn't know when to back off. ]

No. It's a place where anyone can eat.

[ a diner is a simple space for simple people, anyone passes through, anyone can go there unless someone's denied service. though, a poor child could be denied for not having the proper payment, but there are those within the building that look past that, and see people as people.

or how it should be. ]

...No. I don't.

[ which he adds on as though it is no big deal. ] You may have my serving.

[ even as she goes about these big hops in her attempt, he walks by her side now, staring forward confirming that they're going the right way. ]

[ Just those few words might be revealing a little too much than she intended. Fio's been trying to keep it barebones. She isn't really trying to keep it a well kept secret though. There hasn't been any reason to speak about it. Not too many have asked exactly or asked the right questions to figure out these little details. ]

I see. That's nice. There's tons of nice things here... I'm really excited to see what a diner is like!

[ Plenty of good things that she would have never experienced in her own life. And knowing what she knows of present day Earth, there won't be any of these luxuries available to her either. Even the situation in Aphaia was leagues above what she knows. At least the low rank contestants were able to work their way up and earn food.

She will never forget the pain she went through, but she doesn't let her mind dwell too much on it. She continues to smile, like she hasn't given him any clue about herself. ]

...If you change your mind about the food, let me know. I'm happy to share. [ She says, even if it is unlikely Shadow will change his mind. He doesn't need it. It just feels rude to take so much for herself. She doesn't like to be greedy.

A deep breath, facing forward. She'd better get moving. ] Okay, I'm gonna start running on the count of three... one, two, three!

[ Striding forward, she breaks off into a run. ]

[ she likes this world, it's "nice things" to her? that gives him an idea to her previous world, one that makes him think the worst much like he does. it's when she's getting into position to run forward that he reaches out, but stops himself to allow her the distance.

when it comes to this world and her world, which one does she favor and which one would she stay in?

he can learn a lot about her through that question, but he shouldn't ask, he shouldn't do anything that warrants bringing up unsavory memories that she wouldn't want to talk about. if she hasn't brought it up herself then there's a reason, besides, he knows that she wants to save her world and everyone else's if she can.

he follows behind fio, not running, but his steps are quick enough that he can still remain behind her and keep the young girl in his sights. the forest is heavy with attention, the sound of chocobos clicking around, and the rustle of bushes as they creatures move about here and there.

jumping up into one of the trees, the leaves rustle as shadow jumps from one to the other, watching overhead to make sure that nothing gets in fio's way. the young girl can hear rustling movement from above, and if she looks up, she'll catch a tree shake and a golden streak of energy zip from one tree to another hiding itself. ]

[ Speaking of the Earth's current state would be a dampener in any conversation. No matter how much better Etraya or any other planet may be in comparison, she has already made the important decision to keep another company in a ruined world. And it is where the last bastion of humanity remains. She can't let it be destroyed.

Fio keeps running straight ahead, breezing past and hopping, swerving around rocks, shrubs, and other small obstacles that get in her way. Some chocobos startle, fleeing when they hear her steps. (And she looks a bit apologetic for it too...) Knowing that Shadow is strong enough to keep up, she doesn't glance back during her initial sprint. In the middle of her run, she catches a glimpse of the gold streak from the corner of her eyes, something very different from the dappled sunlight through the trees. She only gives the trees above a brief, curious glance, before facing forward once she realizes it's nothing to worry about.

Continuing forth, her steps slow down into a jog and then after about a minute or so, her pace becomes more of a walk. She pushes her legs to keep going, refusing to stop until she can at the very least see an opening at the edge of the woodland. The further she goes, the trees become less dense, with more sunlight pouring in. Panting, she comes to a complete halt. Up ahead, there still is a bit of a way off before she can reach the city. ]

...Darkie?

[ Is all she manages to gasp out, lifting her eyes back up at the trees. She needs a break to catch her breath. Without saying anything else, it's clear she only has the strength to walk the rest of the way. ]

[ out of the tree, his form in a ball creating a spin-dash, and he unfurls from the shape once he hits the ground. he closes some distance between him and fio, noting how tired the young girl looks, but she made it some of the way. blinking slowly, the hedgehog rolls his eyes as he looks at where they are, and even though they're at the edge of the woodland, that doesn't mean the diner is as close.

without asking, the hedgehog moves forward to pick the girl up in his hands with ease despite her being taller than him. then he sets her down, the hedgehog walking in front of her again as he stands with a tap of his foot. ]

Hold onto me.

[ he's seen what happens when she's tired, and despite being a young girl, it's not like he won't get tired. there's only so much energy to be had of someone her size, and shadow doesn't want to waste anymore time. he could just use a certain ability to instantly send them there, but she seems like the type to enjoy what she passes.

her previous world nothing like this. ]

I won't say it again.

[ there's a mental countdown of how long he'll stay like this in front of her. ]

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APRIL MINGLE

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