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

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ They are in agreement that it is not the same, however Dimitri is still agonizing over it. Over how to best serve those people, to improve their lives, as well as trying to come to terms with a situation like Aphaia’s could come about. Not in the way it is run, but an inevitable, encroaching, death.

When Yuri starts commenting upon just what kind of company Dimitri is his eyebrows pinch in pain. So, Yuri has already suffered my company. But the thought is stopped dead in its tracks as Yuri presses on. With Dimitri’s eyes shooting open he looks at Yuri, blinking, taking in the man anew.

Surprise shifts to disbelief- not in an accusatory way, but rather like when you’ve witnessed something unbelievable. Dimitri’s mouth had opened a little, but now he presses his lips together, still blinking intermittently, trying to digest the whole of what Yuri’s said.

He’s staring too long, and in realizing this Dimitri swallows and tears his eyes away to look about the room. Anywhere that isn’t Yuri. ]

Well… you, ah, needn’t suffer in silence on my account…?

[ It’s said slowly as he isn’t entirely certain that’s what Yuri meant… Normally, he wouldn’t have any trouble in believing that to be true, but Dimitri doesn’t know the man to suffer much of anything magnanimously. But, if Yuri is familiar with his nature and still choosing to willingly sit here through this… does he feel obligated?? ]

[wolfish]

[ And there it is: Dimitri's capacity for mental gymnastics in order to find the bleakest interpretation, there on full display. Yuri smothers a chuckle behind his fist. He should have known better than to think he could Dimitriproof his words without saying more. Without specifying more.

Goddess knows that his little wife was equally skilled in self-deprecating interpretation. ]

Have you ever known me to suffer in silence? Me? Come now.

[ He doesn't know what he may be like in some other timeline. Some of what he'd said seemed to set that other Dimitri on his heels with the boldness of it, so perhaps they aren't entirely the same. With that thought in mind, he supposes he'd best make as fine a point as he can of it. ]

It's no hardship to be around you. It never was, and that's not going to change.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ The sound of Yuri’s chuckle is initially mistaken for scorn, that is until Dimitri lays eyes on the man. His pained expression morphs into one of surprise as he takes in the evident delight on Yuri’s face. The beautiful expression is at once beguiling and confusing in equal measure.

When Yuri confirms Dimitri’s inner thoughts on the other’s inability to suffer silently, a trait in which he finds himself a little selfishly jealous of, he isn’t sure what to think. He studies Yuri’s face trying to glean what this could possibly mean. Yuri seems to be studying him as well, but it isn’t the kind of gaze that makes him squirm. For some reason he thinks he feels infinity in this moment…

And the moment doesn’t break so much as expand- or maybe it fades into permanence- either way, Yuri speaks and it feels like the world is forever changed. He keeps looking between Yuri’s eyes, but finds no lie there.

Slowly Dimitri’s eyes widen and his mouth forms a silent ‘Oh.’ before closing again. His mind goes a little blank and he feels his chest tightening, and a slight burn in his eyes. But he needs to say something. Anything. ]


That is- You- Uhm.

[ His mouth closes and he blinks a couple of times. Ok, maybe not anything. Quickly now. ]

I also find joy in your company.

[ Also?? Why did he say that? That is far too presumptuous, the man only said it wasn’t torture to be around Dimitri, not that he liked it!

Why is his heart hammering. Why is he panicking? Dimitri can’t truly be this bad with people, can he? Should he leave? He should probably leave before he humiliates himself further. ]

[wolfish]

[ Yuri's mirth bleeds out of him with alarming swiftness when Dimitri replies. Joy? He's pretty damn sure he's not done anything to warrant that from anyone, save his own mother. As with many things in life, his mother is the great exception.

He takes it as Dimitri's earnest attempt to respond to something he doesn't know how to answer. Accordingly, he doesn't place too much weight on the words and gives the prince a light clap to his shoulder. ]

Don't worry so much, alright? You don't have a poker-face, I can tell.

[ Yuri may readily judge most nobles, but Dimitri is an exception. Usually. ]

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ Seeing the delight fall from Yuri’s face like a bolder dropped off the mountain side leaves Dimitri’s stomach doing much the same. It’s sting double coming on the heels of feeling weightless moments prior. Internally Dimitri curses himself for already messing this up.

Although he hadn’t been prepared to find anyone from home here, Dimitri is rather grateful it is Yuri he has on his side. He doesn’t wish to strain or ruin this relationship; Dimitri knows what needs doing.

Rising from the bed he stands and glances to Yuri. The look in Dimitri’s eyes is crestfallen. ]

I apologize; it was not my intention to insult you. Your words surprised me… Still, I should not have been candid, nor should I have spoken so presumptuously. Really, I am truly sorry.

[ He had thought, perhaps, with the invitation to sit in the man’s room with him, that he might be able to relax and they could enjoy each other’s company. But maybe, since they were no longer under the professor’s tutelage, Yuri doesn’t actually want anything to do with him and he is just being polite.

Dimitri feels like he should leave. ]

[wolfish]

And we're back to the worrying.

[ Yuri huffs out a sigh. ]

Look, I'm not used to sincerity. That's not personal, it's not something you did, it's my life.

[ It's not something Dimitri did wrong or to him. Whoever talked to him, about him, like that... He wouldn't know how to appropriately respond. Back when a bigger, angrier, more wounded Dimitri wad here, Yuri was accustomed to the measured, soft honesty that would occasionally slip from him.

In his younger form, it's a lot more than Yuri is used to, but he can't exactly tell him that without making all of this far more confusing. ]

You've got nothing to apologize for. You'd know if I was offended, or...whatever you think I am.

[hauntedsnowfall]

[ Dimitri takes in every word Yuri says and his eyebrows knit, or more likely, stay knit. He knows Yuri runs the underground, but also knows him to be a good man. Someone who stands up for the voiceless. He doesn’t, however, know what the man’s life was like. ]

I… I see.
[ He does not. ]

[ But Dimitri does know a thing or three about not being handled with sincerity. ]

Still… I will apologize for being out of sorts. This situation… I suppose it has me a bit raddled. I can leave you to your business if you would like.

[wolfish]

[ Yuri waves the apology — and the thought that chases it — away. ]

No need for that. If you want to be here, it's not a problem with me.

[ He knows well enough that Dimitri will imagine problems, but it's been a long time since he's dealt with the guy in this state. For all the time he'd spent with that older Dimitri, he'd gotten used to the man more or less accepting he wasn't around him out of duty or some odd courtesy. ]

I've just been reading up on other worlds' technologies. There have to be things we can use in our world, even if we don't have what others do.