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

[imperatour]

[ Of course Furiosa was already planning on being careful with it, but Max's admission imparts another layer of delicacy. Jack's revolver will never leave her sight again, but what she wouldn't give to have something from her mother.

Her grip is careful with measured movements as she tilts it around to see how the engraving reflects the light before she holds it up to her ear. The tick-tick-tick is a comfort. ]

Steady.

[ The sound of reliability. Something you can trust to keep moving forward, always. The sound is loud in the silence between them, but a comfort too. ]

What was he like?

[ Her voice is soft, as she passes the watch back to him. ]

cw: cancer talk, mental health, etc.

[theroadwarrior]

[The watch is swallowed under his fingers, clutched gently against his palm as he collects it back from her. Holding it feels like it conjures some kind of magical ability to revive long-dead memories. A tall, quiet man shading him like a tree from a hot, hot sun appears in his mind — but he can't quite remember the lines of the man's face when he was healthy. Mostly when he was sick. Brittle.]

... Quiet. Worked a lot. Wasn't much for affection, but... he provided. Think that's how he showed love. Making sure people had what they needed. [He clicks the small button on top, opening the face of the pocketwatch. He watches the clock hands moving as the moments pass.] That was before he got sick, though. Was... mmm. Twelve. Thirteen, then, when he started losing himself. Sickness, like the war boys.

[It's almost funny. One Rockatansky lost his mind from brain tumors. The next one lost his mind from — well, he supposes he could be losing it from something similar. Not like anyone in the wasteland was able to be scanned for that kind of sickness.

He's pretty sure he's just normal-crazy, though.

Broken down kind of crazy.]

[imperatour]

[ It's hard to imagine Max as a kid. She barely remembers her own childhood, the long days when she ran through the Green Place barefoot dressed in blues. She'd catch echoes of it sometimes in watching the War Pups. Mostly distorted like looking at yourself in a dented hubcap, but sometimes at the right angle you catch a perfect look backward, kids with the paint warn off, racing on the garage creepers or playing games from the old world in the dirt in between chasing each other with equipment.

Children who never have a chance to grow up into steady, stoic men. Quiet men who watch, who say whole sentences in the way that they rumble from the back of their throat. Men who'd spill their own blood to build a home with no need to ever live in it.

Sounds familiar. ]

He sounds like a good man. I'm sorry.

[ Furiosa looks over, her expression soft and solemn. She makes a little gesture with her hand, one she made with the Vuvalini too, palm open like it's loosely reaching towards the stars, then drawing towards her heart. Respect and mourning. ]

Just you and your mum after?

[theroadwarrior]

[... Ah.

Hesitantly, he mimics her gesture. It's a small, kind thing.

But at her question, he looks a little caught off-guard, as though she'd said something utterly strange. It takes him a moment to remember, oh, yeah, this is the first time she's heard anything particular about his past. How would she know anything about his mother? He had usually elected to let the world around him talk about their problems, their pasts, what makes them tick; and then, he would go cold and quiet at the thought of opening up. Furiosa had seen it firsthand, when his family had been brought up.

Or, well. Being married anyway. One part of the puzzle. Jessie was a dangerously unwinding thread, but the idea of talking about Sprog... Just couldn't.

Blessedly, his parents were an easier topic.

In a way, it's almost like stepping into the shallow end of a rushing river.

Acclimating to what shapes the man next to her.

And he thinks she'll find his response jarring, considering the place she'd come from.]

Mmm... My mother left us when I was young... Too young to remember most of her. [He gently slips the pocket watch into one of his inner jacket pockets.] She stepped out. Never stepped back in. Found a different world to be a part of, I guess.