etrayalogs | 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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Her head dips in acknowledgement.]

It was unfair of me to involve her from the beginning. I won't do anything to her here. You have my assurance.

[Maria looks at her for a moment. as if studying her. how she positions herself and talks. views things.

Heather cannot find closure in vengeance with this woman. Maria can see that.]

Do you regret what you did?

I regret involving her.

[She doesn't regret trying to bring God before Her time, because the world was still a hopelessly broken place full of horrors.]

And what of her father?

[that was the crux of the matter, now wasn't it?]

His death was regrettable.

[It's the closest she can get to a true apology, as she still sees the man as a kidnapper who took Alessa from her. But she never should have involved Alessa in the first place, which means that Harry Mason should have lived.]

[for once, Maria shows her displeasure. it turns into a scowl and she shakes her head.]

You took the person she loved most away from her. You can do better than that.

Is there truly anything I can say?

[Her words are almost childlike.]

I believe words are hollow, given the circumstances.

That's fair. [and it is.] Words won't make it better but I think Heather's going to be expecting some.

I know I'd like a word here and there, showing you have some regret.

I am... uncertain how to begin.

[It's not refusal, coming from Claudia. It's honest confusion coming from someone who is in many ways still a six-year-old girl.]

[Maria sighs. is this really the situation she's in now? why does she keep getting into situations that are way over her head? but she could manage this. for Heather.]

Think about someone you care about. Surely there is someone?

[she couldn't do this with Vincent. this method wouldn't work because he'd say there was nobody he did care about. but Claudia...she seemed to have real emotion, a desire to help no matter how displaced it was.]

Besides Alessa, there isn’t anyone else.

[And it’s been a very long time since she’s seen Alessa.]

This is a penance I’ll need to do on my own. I do… appreciate your thoughts.

[If there even is a way to apologize to Alessa.]

[of course Claudia would say Alessa and as quickly as Claudia is so wave off whatever Maria was about to say, she has enough practice in this. Maria continues.]

My point, Claudia, is to think of them. Think of hurting them. Let that be your inspiration.

[will that do any good? who knows. Maria stands up and looks down at her.] The info you have on me? Please keep it to yourself. Heather and Vincent know, and a few others, but I'd like to be seen as just another woman as much as possible.

[Her head dips downwards in a deliberate nod.]

Very well.

[It's not clear what comment she’s responding to.]

How long have you known Vincent?

Since I first came here. We didn't know about our connection for a few months.

[and he's nuts and it always feels like a balancing act with him! she doesn't share that.

should she mention the human sacrifices thing...?

probably not. ]

He has some ideas about how our universe should be handled.

[Claudia's head tips.

It's interesting to hear about these things, how much she doesn't know. Her Sight has always been reliable, but here it doesn't seem to provide her with knowledge she used to get easily.]

He's told me his ideas. He lost his hearing in Aphaia to get them across.

[Given how evenly she talks, it's hard to tell, but this is something Claudia actually admires.]

What a guy. [she rolls her eyes.]

I will help him if it gets that bad. But until then, I prefer fighting to have a good place for Heather and others to have. [Maria thinks of Laura and yes, she'd like a home for her.]

[Claudia nods, dipping her chin respectfully. Of course, she understands why Maria would want to save the world, and why Alessa would also want to save it.]

It's a strange situation we've found ourselves in. It's not one I want to be in.

I don't know why Echo chose you. I don't know why they chose me either but you? Even more confusing.

[Claudia trying to bring her god forth didn't seem like a great choice.]

I wouldn't know.

[Said in response to both statements, though she doesn't clarify.]

It is strange, thinking about. By all accounts, I should not be here.

Maybe they view you as a wrench in the plans. Awful people have been brought here who have had very different motives than others. Murderers, like yourself.

[she's really not holding back.]

[She doesn't argue with the "murderer" comment. It's true, in any case.]

I was dead. Hardly a wrench in the plans.

Heather and I are nothing like you and Vincent. How you view a happy world is not the same as what I think that would be.

APRIL MINGLE

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