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]

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.

[abit_ofboth]

[It’s possible that Scott is trying to annoy him, but it’s not working. Loki can’t help but be amused. Besides, to Scott, Loki is ancient. It’s hardly an insult.]

Actually, when I was young that is precisely how it was. Though I cannot say the band followed me around. But most music was to be listened to live. Later we did have recordings of music, but I never had anything portable.

[And looking at the device in Scott’s hand, Loki isn’t disappointed. He can’t imagine the small speakers on the headset would do the sound justice, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t want to ruin the moment for Scott. And he’s glad he didn’t when Scott offers him a listen because despite being unsure that the sound quality could be good, he is curious.

Shrugging, Loki leans in so he can listen better to the sounds coming out of the small, personal speakers. It’s heavy and loud and chaotic and Loki finds himself grinning. The music actually feels angry and Loki understands immediately why it might be popular.]

I did not know someone could make such sounds with a guitar. That is rather impressive.

[laserguy]

['When he was young,' yeah, back when the galaxy was still forming or something like that. Scott finds his own joke funny, the teen smirking for a moment, but he's actually paying more attention to Loki and his reaction as he puts the headset against his ears. Maybe in a way... it is kind of nice sharing something like that. Besides, the local trickster god should listen to Metallica at some point.

It's like a culture thing or whatever. Very important.]

They're fucking incredible. Only have the one cassette so far, but I know they're gonna grow big in the future, especially if they keep releasing stuff like this. [It'll suck if they just disappear after this.]

There's of course other bands and whatever, but this is my favorite.

[abit_ofboth]

[The smirk makes Loki raise a questioning eyebrow, though there’s something knowing in the expression on his face as well. He might not be reading Scott’s mind, but it isn’t hard to tell that he’s thinking something probably less than kind. Loki should know, he’s worn that smirk himself countless times.

But there’s something else there as well, something that lets Loki know that maybe Scott is enjoying this more than he wishes to let on. Ah music, always bringing people together.]

I agree, they are clearly talented musicians. Is this their first album then?

[If it is, then Loki is even more impressed. There was never music like this on Asgard and he can’t imagine anyone at the TVA listening to this. Except maybe B-15. He has a feeling she might enjoy it.]

I would not mind hearing more about them. Perhaps one day we will have access to more music from your world here and I will be able to hear more of their work.

[laserguy]

Maybe there's hope for you yet.

[The teen's still lightly poking at Loki at his expense, but... Scott actually seems to be having some level of fun.]

So I guess I'll show you if I collect more cassettes.

[If someone is going to show Loki actual good music, it might as well be him. Why not. Make sure that he catches all the good stuff. Hell, maybe he'll even show him some 'old' music from the 60s or whatever, it'll just depend on whatever he bumps into next.]

[abit_ofboth]

Oh, how kind of you to think so.

[Loki doesn’t even bother to try and hide his own amusement. If this and the other few times they’ve encountered each other is anything to go by, Loki suspects they will be teasing each other quite a bit. Good thing for Scott that Loki is much more easy-going than he once was.]

I will call that a deal, then. And perhaps in return I can show you some music I am fond of?

[Loki expects that Scott will scoff or some other such young and angry kind of response, but he still thinks he might have a thing or two that Scott might enjoy as well.]