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

[laserguy]

Correction, it was just random sunglasses I found, not mine.

[He points at his shades, as if emphasizing the point that he's still wearing his actual sunglasses. Like this is a totally necessary thing to do. But hm. Does he want Loki's gift? Well, it would better than the god just holding it for eternity.]

Fine, because I'm tired of you just holding onto it like it's some sort of relic that shouldn't be opened. [But with the present still being offered to him, Scott takes the box from Loki. He's really not expecting all that much as he tears into the package, but as the item inside is revealed, Scott actually stops and looks down at the gift with surprise.]

A... walkman? [Wait, is this his? Hard to say, but Scott immediately pulls it out with something bordering on excitement on his face.]

[abit_ofboth]

So not a finders keepers kind of situation then.

[He smirks slightly, but manages to keep his tone almost serious.]

So what you’re telling me here is that even though you are already wearing sunglasses, you randomly picked up a second pair from the ground as if picking up trash and then decided to carelessly throw them away and into my face. Because I was under the impression it was one of the gifts and it seems to me if you open it, it’s yours.

[He doesn’t actually know if that’s how any of this works, but it’s really been a long time since he’s been able to tease someone and Scott is making it rather easy.]

Excellent as I am also tired of holding onto it.

[He smiles, a real smile this time, and watches as Scott opens it. The object is not something Loki is familiar with, but it quickly becomes apparent that Scott is. It certainly looks to be of better quality than the sunglasses at least.]

May I ask what a walkman is?

[Loki almost hesitates to ask at first because the expression on Scott’s face is the first time he’s looked anything but angry. It must be a good first step, right?]

[laserguy]

The gift was lying on the ground and wasn't addressed to anyone. It wasn't mine. So, yes, I just found it. Obviously.

[Just arguing for the sake of arguing. He can do that, in fact, he's on board with it!! Well, he would be, normally, but he's now distracted with the latest present that he's opened, the teen looking at the small device with increasing fondness. It's even come with headsets! And hopefully a decent cassette--

Metallica. Okay, good. We're on board now.

He was already wrapping the headsets around his ears when Loki asks him that question and fine. Okay, guess he'll answer. This time. Only because he brought him his walkman, like he somehow grabbed it from his room or something. Sounds kind of creepy putting it like that, but he's still happy. Something finally from home, or at least recognizable.]

It's a device that plays music. [He rolls his eyes, but that smile hasn't vanished yet.] You know what that is, right?

[abit_ofboth]

[Loki rolls his eyes at Scott’s response, but doesn’t say anything else about the sunglasses. He should know better than to argue with a youngster who thinks they know everything. He had been such a youngster himself and knows all the tricks, mostly making the interaction not worth it.

Okay, maybe that’s a little strong. He doesn’t actually think Scott’s not worth it in any sense of the meaning. He doesn’t think that of anyone anymore. Sitting on a throne for the desire to allow everyone to make their own choices will do that to a person.

Then Scott opens the gift and Loki sees something change in him. It’s nice, being able to see someone react like this, up close and personal. Sometimes, when he was on his throne, he would see things like this happen on a timeline, but he has always felt distant, separated. Being there in the moment touches him more than he thought it could.]

Do I know what music is?

[Loki laughs, honest and bright.]

Yes, I am a big fan of music actually, I just have not had a device to play it like this one.

[laserguy]

Right, you're probably used to just people playing ancient instruments in front of you. [Ancient??] Man, that sounds like such a pain, only being able to listen to music when the band's following you around.

[It really sounds awful, honestly. Good thing he was born in the best era ever, when he can just listen to music whenever he wanted and watch movies without needing all the actors in front of him. Also sounds like a giant pain. How did people survive back in the day?? But turning on his cassette, he turns the volume pretty high, so that Loki can kind of hear the music play from the headphones.

...He might even pull the headphones from around his neck to offer to Loki, nodding at him to at least press his ear against one of the pieces so that he can hear the music better.]

You haven't listened to music until you heard this.