etrayalogs | JUNE MINGLE

JUNE MINGLE

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: June 27th - Early July
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers and summer fun!
NOTES\WARNINGS: N/A

⏵ 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.

In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, slices of strawberry shortcake, as well as iced tea and iced coffee to accompany them - as well as some strawberry lemonade, for those who are opposed to the other offerings.

Should they check their earpiece and the network it is connected to, they will find that they have an assigned username already, that being their own name. Furthermore, if they do not ordinarily possess a surname, they have been assigned one at random. This only seems to affect the newly arrived, as they will find that others don't have such a kindness bestowed upon them.

Outside the hospital, it is most assuredly summer! It is hot out, the warm summer sun bringing with it all the light and life one might expect of the season, but so too the possibility of sun burns if one is not too careful! What better way to beat the heat than to cool off with a swim? Though the many rivers that snake their way through Etraya might not be the safest place to do that, even if the aid of those large blue-feathered bipedal birds.

However it isn't long after leaving the hospital that they may find themselves approached by one of the companion bots ushering them towards a fresh path leading to the south. If asked, they will suggest that everyone is to follow the path, and everything will be made clear once you have arrived. Should they oblige the helpful little bots, they will take a little trek through Alexandrea's Wake, past the trolley lines, and towards the bank which faces Seasands. Every few meters there are signs staked into the ground pointing along the way that read Beach! Summer Fun! Waves this Way!

Once arrived, they will certainly see why...

⏵ sea la vie ⏴

Along the water's edge there sits what looks to be a water park!

As guests approach the pools, they will notice the water itself. While it is indeed water, and should one inquire about it or inspect it, they will find it is truly only that, visually it looks rather different. That is, it is not only blue in hue but also green, and red, and purple, and so on. An entire spectrum of colors across its depths, like light in liquid form. The colors will swirl and feed into each other, morphing with movement and shifting in prismatic range as one moves within their depths, or even as they walk around the edges of the pools.

As they enter, they are greeted by a stand with swimsuits available for those who do not have their own. However, these swimsuits are a little...retro in their style. Not far from them is another stand that has various types of water guns, as well as water balloons, for all your water-war related needs. Though, the largest and most exciting of guns needs an adult's permission to get, so be sure to have one of those if you're not of age!

This park has all the popular amenities. There are land-bound pools of various depths that are connected to each other, all with with typical water features as one might expect at a water park. There are water umbrellas that cascade water down from its brim, burbling spouts, splash pads, wave pools, and so on. Naturally there are water slides of various heights and types, emptying into the appropriate pools to accommodate for the velocity of the rider's exit.

There is also a lazy river that connects to the main pool, inner-tubes are available at the mouth of the river, offered by one of the many lifeguard companion bots. They are easy to spot, seeing as they seem to be wearing a strange headpiece of sorts, a hat that almost looks like the bristle of a brush (some looking oddly flattened giving the impression of a wide brim hat). An odd choice of fashion, but it certainly makes them distinct!

There are beach chairs around the park for those who are less interested in splashing around, preferring to soak up the sun. Though one shouldn't swim for an hour after they have eaten (Pool Rules), there are also concession stands, but they are offering food that doesn't quite fit the pool atmosphere. Perhaps someone somewhere wants to eat a baguette at the pool, but there might be many who question the choice. In fact, there are mostly Viennoiseries available. However, there are sandwiches like Jambon-Beurre, Chévre-Tomat, and Pan Bagnat made with the aforementioned baguettes. There’s a stand with every flavor of Macaron as well, should one dislike the pastries. As for drinks, there is wine (red or white) available, but also other non-alcoholic drinks, such as caprisun (tropical flavor).

There is, of course the matter of the waters beyond the park itself. That of the river that separates Alexandrea's Wake from Seasands, and while there is no physical barrier keeping one from going into the depths, as the tallest slide actually empties into the waters over there, the companion bots advise against any teens or younger from doing so. After all, there is wildlife in Etraya, and the waters themselves are not free of them. That is strictly adult waters, and everyone has to follow the Pool Rules!

⏵ pool rules ⏴

The rules are simple, and perhaps "has to" is a bit strong when there isn't any noteworthy repercussions that occur if someone doesn't follow them. In truth, it only results in the bots fussing and reminding them to follow the rules. All the same, there are signs posted throughout the park of the rules, which are as follows:

1. No running
2. Must Wear a Swim Suit
3. No Kids in Adult Areas
4. Wait 1 Hour After Eating Before Swimming
5. No Horseplay Except in Designated Areas
6. Have Fun
7. Be Nice To Your Lifeguards :)

While the bots will not be punishing anyone who breaks the rules, those who extensively do so will find that they are being watched more closely than other people. They might even notice that the lifeguards' entire attention is on them, as if anticipating a rule to be broken at any moment. Some others might pull out a small notepad and start writing. The paper is surprisingly waterproof! Though if one confiscates the pad of paper, they will see that it is not the beginnings of a manuscript, but rather amateurish doodles of said rulebreaker decidedly following the rules and having a lot of fun doing so, everyone around them overjoyed by the change of heart!

If only reality were so sweet, alas.

⏵ fun in the sun ⏴

Water parks are often known for their chaos despite their suggestion of rules, however those are not the only thing being suggested in this watery playground. Indeed, there is something else that might inspire the inhabitants than the polite reminders of the companion bots to maintain safety and order, which is the promise of points. These will be offered for those who are willing to participate in what might be considered a "mini-mission". By no means is this required, and lack of participation will not be held against anyone. However the bots will inform everyone their participation will be rewarded with 5 points should they complete five of the following activities.

	Activities
Ride the Slides	There are many slides throughout the park, some more winding than others, some far taller, and even others that are both winding and tall. To count this task complete, one must ride each of the slides that are available to their age group at least once! The tallest slide with the most loops (thus the most fun) is naturally not accessible for teens and younger, this is "strictly" for adults.
Raft Volleyball	This game takes place upon the river, as the rafts themselves are anchored there away from other swimmers for safety's sake. Because of this, the activity is adult only, though this will not be enforced. The object of this game is a 1v1 match where each participant tries to stay on their raft as they hit the ball back and forth. Falling off the raft is when the game ends, otherwise points are ranked up when your opponent misses the ball and the ball hits their raft. Effectively, if no one gives up or falls, this could go...indefinitely. May the strongest serve and will win, for only then will the task count!
Pool Noodle Duel	Choose your noodle and be ready to duel! While duelists will be encouraged to keep these duels to the shallow pools and away from groups of people, they can technically happen anywhere pool noodles are (which is everywhere around the park). Each duel will be decided by best of 2/3, first to land a hit will win the round (the hit will be obvious as the pool noodle will leave a temporary slap of color where it has struck). This task is considered complete when a duel is won.
Chicken	One of the medium depth pools will serve as the "Colosseum" for this game, companion bots will be available for those who do not have someone's shoulders to ride on for this water-based wrestling. Once your opponent(s) have been decided, it will be a test of strength to knock the other off the shoulders of their "steed" into the water below! Win or lose, participation counts this as complete.
Treasure Diving	Around the deeper pools there are coffers of "treasure", the contents look like they might be fat gemstones and gold bars, but in reality they are fake weighted toys meant to be thrown into the water to then be collected. However, this particular challenge is for a competitor to collect all the contents of a coffer within two dives.
Hotdog Eating Contest	Despite there not being hotdogs available to order at the concession stands otherwise, they are available for a test of gluttony! So long as you challenge someone to an eating contest, you and your opponent may eat as many as you both like within the time limit (10 minutes). Participating in this marks the task as complete.
Lazy River	Relaxing on the Lazy River is highly encouraged, but especially so when done with a friend. Enjoy its gentle course for its full length and the task will be considered complete.
Surf the Waves	Experience the wave pool! Catch the waves in whatever manner or meaning of the term appeals most! Whether it is literally trying to surf or just being bodily tossed around by the waves themselves, it doesn't matter. Participation is completion.
Try a New Treat	Try something you've never had before at the concession stand! If you've already eaten or drank everything on the menu, well, you can always get creative with what's available...
Sunbathe with Friends	Soak up some sun and work on that tan with a friend! Of course don't forget to apply sun lotion to each other first, which is available on a small table near each of the tanning chairs around the different pools throughout the park. Regardless of your tanning results, doing this at all will be considered complete.

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Welcome to Etraya newcomers and happy summer!!

For those wondering who qualifies as "adults" that is anyone 20 years or older. What this means is that this is not based on height, appearance, nor physical capability. Simply chronological age. So, if someone has the full capability and mind of a grown adult but has only been alive for, say, 3 years, they will be considered "one of the kids".

Around the water park leading to the river's edge is a sandy beach newly placed with the apparent construction of the water park. This can be enjoyed by both "kids" and "adults", though the bots will certainly remind the former that the waters are dangerous and not for the kids.

Towels, sandals, showers, and so forth can be found within the park's myriad little buildings, but they aren't meant to be anything too fancy. Simply functional and convenient!

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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Disgust? No, there is no disgust in Dwayne's eyes. That's determination. Dwayne's only on hot dog #31 and here is someone who is more than ten hot dogs ahead of him. He cannot let someone beat him this easily. Dwayne had already been eating like an animal, because that's how he always eats, but now he's decided to step it up a notch, actively cramming food down his throat with his fingers to make room for more.

Then, seconds from the end, his body can't take it. He gags, struggling to hold down what he's consumed so far. For a moment, there's an internal struggle as he tries to keep it all in and then...in a giant stream of chewed up food and bile, it all comes up.

"Ugh. That was...ugh. How big is your stomach?"

Seriously, how did this guy manage to keep so much down?

Oh. Oh, no. Wade's eyes bug out a little as he watches the man blow hotdog chunks everywhere. One might think that horrendous sight might make him break his stride, but nope. He's still going.

Although he does try to talk as he stuffs another dog in there and then another, "It's just--" Om "About..." chomp, "Willpower- gulp, "And not thinking-" Braaap! "About how much pain-" smack, "I'll be in later!"

And the buzzer chimes! Fifty-four hotdogs! And the crowd goes-- honestly, kind of mid. The vomit all over the place kind of killed the mood.

Thanks a lot, Dwayne.

"Yeah...I'll think of that for next time."

He looks down at the mess he created.

"...if there's a next time. Maybe there shouldn't be a next time."

The crowd might prefer it if there wasn't a next time, though honestly he suspects he could have kept it down if he wasn't trying so hard to get caught up. Maybe he should just focus more on what he's doing than on what other people are doing.

"Don't be a quitter." Wade responds, only to let out a very long very loud burp, "Oof, sorry. Oh, I am going to be in pain later. But that's the price you have to pay for greatness."

Wade moves away from the table and the giant mess the other man had made. Standing by that too long might give his own stomach ideas, after all.

"You weren't doing half bad before you blew chunks. Like, for real, kudos." If he'd not been competing against a goddamn psychopath like Wade Wilson he might have stood a chance.

"Yeah. Yeah! You're right! I won't be a quitter! I will try this again!"

He thinks of trying to eat right now, and his stomach lurches.

"As soon as I rinse my mouth out."

It'll be fine once the taste of it is gone. He walks away from the table as well, glad to escape the vomit smell.

"Thanks. I think I would have been able to keep it down if I hadn't tried to catch up by shoving the food down faster. That was my real mistake."

"Hell, yeah! You got this!" Wade hypes him up, giving him a smack on the back. Which may or may not be a mistake.

He glances back to watch the poor, unfortunate crew that has to clean up the mess. Although they look surprisingly enured to it. Perhaps he's not been the first to blow chunks?

"That probably didn't help. Gotta know your limits, right?" Which is hypocritical as fuck coming out of Wade, he never concerns himself with such things, he just always does whatever. Whatever, usually being the stupidest thing, "Name's Wade. What's yours?"

He lets out an ominous retching sound when Wade smacks him on the back, but thankfully nothing comes up. Glancing back, he notices the same thing, and he suspects with the nature of the competition it's probably a regular occurrence.

"I'm Dwayne. Nice to meet you," he says, holding out a hand.

"Ooh-" Wade grimaces at the sound Dwayne makes at the smack, his hand away slowly, "Sorry, man."

That same smacking hand takes the offered one, "Nice to meet you, too. You new? Or been in his madhouse for a while?"

"It's fine," he says with a dismissive wave.

"I'm new. Just got here today, actually," he says as he gives a brief but firm handshake. "What about you? You a new arrival, too?"

"Puking on your first day? Embarrassing... or a power move, depending on how you look at it."

Mostly just embarrassing, but we can pretend for the new guy's sake, "Nah, I'm not new. I've been here a few months now. And I was here a year or so ago, but left. Not sure how that works, but I don't ask many questions."

He's not an asking questions kind of guy, he just does whatever the event plots tell him to!

"I didn't realize 'power move' was an option there."

Fortunately, he's not too worried about it.

"I ask a lot of questions, but it doesn't seem like a lot of people here have answers, and I don't really understand the answer when they do."

He understands he's there to prove his world's worth, but what does that entail? Why do they pick random people from these worlds to decide the fate of everyone in them? Why will worlds be destroyed if some aren't culled? Isn't destroying an entire universe a ridiculous amount of death? No one here seemed to have the answers to that kind of question, though, so it was easier to just enjoy the water park and stuff his face.

"It is if you decide it is, it can be. Gotta keep them guessing." Who's them? Wade's got no idea. He's just talking. He doesn't know what he's even saying half of the time.

"And that only reinforces my strategy of not giving a shit. I'll do whatever Aurora wants and play along if it means my universe gets saved, but wasting my time looking for things to make sense? I'm not about that life. I'm just going to make sure I stay entertaining enough that they keep me around."

Because he's assuming that's the real name of the game here.

Edited 2025-07-24 00:56 (UTC)

"Right."

He's not really sure who he's keeping guessing, but he figures it would keep someone guessing if he celebrated throwing up as a power move. He's not going to even attempt that, though.

"So you think being entertaining will give us the best shot at saving our worlds? Because I'm mostly trying to figure this place out so I know if I'm doing the right thing to save Eberron," he explains, looking out at the water slides and pools. "Because this place is fun, but I'm really not seeing how they can work out the value of our worlds with any of this."

"It's a working theory." They've had a few missions and side-adventures that seemed to involve gathering points and competing. Like someone is watching? "I view it like... we're all movies fighting at the box office. And the ones that make enough money get sequels. The rest...?" He slices a finger across his neck.

"Being entertaining is probably part of it. Maybe. I didn't say it was a good theory. Just one that I'm tossing around." He'll still do all the missions and stumble his way to the real answer, most likely. Wade rarely concerns himself with plot, but can usually find his way to a good if convoluted ending.

Make people laugh enough, and they'll ignore that the story makes no sense!

"Honestly, that...sounds like something a god might do."

And the idea that this was entertainment for a god didn't seem entirely unlikely.

"I haven't seen anything that would make me think you're wrong, though."

Eating contests and pool noodle fights definitely seems more like someone looking for entertainment than some sign of true worthiness, after all. Dwayne's still not sure how anyone could judge the worth of an entire world from one person on it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

JUNE MINGLE

Hot Dog Eating contest - TW: Emetophobia

TW: Emetophobia

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