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

[restingstitchface]

[Crane diverts his attention from his chess set upon the mention of classical literature. He leans forward across the table with a curious glimmer in his eyes. There is psychiatry, learning how the mind works. And then there is his other great love. Learning about how people view the world through the mind. Literature being a natural extension of that.]

Hesse?

[He is especially a fan of works exploring philosophy and existentialism. The human condition, one might say.]

[ornithologist]

[ Harold raises an eyebrow, surprised at this sudden keen interest. It's a swerve from Crane's previous demeanor. At least Hesse is a respectable interest, though not one he's drawn to personally. Rather too much influence from Nietzsche for his liking. ]

It would be a poor library if we didn't have the works of Hesse.

[restingstitchface]

Correct.

[One might think with his soft tone, Crane would lean back against his chair and return to his position. But he perches his fingers upon the table, hovering across the line that marks the boundary of personal space.

Perhaps he has simply been starved of intellectual conversation.]

He isn't for everybody of course, but I find him utterly fascinating.

[ornithologist]

Personal feelings aside, he's a worthy subject for study.

[ Harold has a personal space bubble that is twice the size of a normal person's, and he doesn't exactly go tense at the slight encroachment, but his demeanor smooths over into something even and level. Controlled.

Intellectual conversation he can provide. And he won't even pretend he doesn't have opinions. ]

Some of Nietzsche's ideas I find unbelievably tiresome, but it's undeniable that they influenced entire generations of German literature, Hesse included. And then Hesse himself the thinkers after.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane brings his hands together, collecting them into his lap thereafter. This man is not easily intimidated and knows how to control himself. Suggesting something below the surface that he is protecting.]

Nietzsche and Hesse influenced the ideas of those who come after. But in turn were influenced by who came before.

[His voice lilts between one syllable and another, one argument and another.]

Their theories seem unique but exhibit elements of ideas that have repeated since ancient times. Which begs the question, who had the first idea? It's a fascinating question, isn't it? To think that some aspect of thought that lies within us all has been alive since ancient times.

[ornithologist]

[ Harold absolutely has a soft underbelly that he is protecting. For years his best defense has been ensuring that those that would exploit him don't realize just how easy he is to manipulate with threats to others. As a naturally reserved, shy person, at least maintaining his composure comes easily to him. ]

In evolutionary terms, thousands of years is nothing, [ he says with a note of agreement in his tone. ] Even tens of thousands. Who we are today as human beings is nearly indistinguishable from who we were then.

What narratives survive says far more about power imbalances in the course of history than the human capacity for philosophical theorizing.

[restingstitchface]

[Power imbalance. Societal concerns. People. People are both the foundation of society and the product of its influence. Crane processes that thought, without expressing himself physically or emotionally, his mind clinically focused on breaking things down to their bare bones.

Power imbalance. Societal concerns. People. Connections.

Fascinating. His face remains impassively calm and controlled. What would he do were those connections threatened? What would he do were they severed?

He tilts his head in agreement, bird-like.]

It also suggests ideas are older than language. But to question ourselves and ask "what if I do this instead" - to have an idea - requires language. [His tone is meandering and curious.] Thoughts are spoken in our native tongue. Therefore ideas also share our language. But the highest levels of cognition need no assistance from words or linguistic structures...

[His mind races from one point to another, pulling in ideas from abstract places that seem unrelated, that in the whole make sense to him. He draws himself inward as if aware he is becoming excited. Seemingly apologetic.]

All things are subject to interpretation.. Perhaps that is enough.

[Nietzche? Perhaps he's making a joke.]