October Mingle

[etrayamods]

❬ 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: pumpkin bread slices, Halloween themed cookies, breads, mini pumpkin pies. To drink, there is mulled tea and iced pumpkin spice flavored coffee to accompany them - as well as some apple cider (non-alcoholic), for those who are opposed to the other offerings.

Outside of the hospital continues to carry the autumn theme, and not merely the weather itself. The decor of the buildings and the immediate surrounding area of the hospital has been influenced by the spirit of Halloween. For those unfamiliar with the Earth holiday, it looks like whoever is in charge of decorating really loves cartoonish depictions of pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, spiders, and bats. Not to mention the orange and purple lights, which wrap around various trees and outline the tops of some buildings and overhangs.

Even the Companion Bots themselves seem in on the festivities. Some dressed in ridiculous costumes, and while there are those more dedicated to their costuming craft, others might simply be wearing cat ears, or something of a more inflatable distinction.

If one is likewise feeling festive and in want of a costume of their own, there is a building not far from the hospital just for that: 8 Grandage Place. This abandoned apartment building is decorated in a particularly spooky fashion, with a particular sign draped across the front of the building. This is where the companion bots themselves acquired their costumes, and where Etrayans may find their own as well! Though with the reach of the multiverse at play here, the selection is more extensive than a standard Spirit Halloween.

The quality is about the same, though.

❬ TRICK OR MEET ❭

Upon the first morning of the new arrivals, the current residents of Etraya will find right outside their door (or tent) that they have been bequeathed a small plastic cauldron full of an assortment of individually wrapped candies. These candies are from across the multiverse, some familiar, some less so. Do you know what a Reese's is? What about a Moonburst? The names don't really matter, they're all little candies made of sugary or chocolaty goodness, much to delight of children and to the dismay of teeth everywhere. However, they are not the only thing within the bounds of the cauldron.

With them is a single note:

Treats to gift the new
With a trick's paid due
Five new faces met
Five less points of debt
Should one disregard this note and eat all the candy, they will find that each new day the candy will be restored. Whether that be achieved through another cauldron being delivered at their doorstep, or it simply being refilled while they sleep. Whichever the case may be, this will continue until the rhyme is followed, or until the 31st.

As for the newcomers of Etraya, they will be given their own little card with instructions. Either a companion bot will offer one to them upon their exit of the hospital, or after they pick a costume for themselves at the Spirit Halloween. The companion bots will be persistent in this endeavor, until at least one card is taken from them.

Upon the card, it instructs in rhyme:

With ghoulish guise picked
Seek those to be tricked
To their homes you flap
Find them on your map!
Simple enough instructions, though the task itself may prove otherwise when there are some lingering effects from the previous mission. Some such effects that could very well impact the functionality of the ear pieces and the maps within them, among myriad other inconvenient things.

❬ FARMING FOR FEAR ❭

On the night of October 31st, Etrayans will find signs and posters plastered all over various buildings advertising a haunted barn over on Ramsey Farm. Directions will send characters to the barn on property. The theme? The barn has been decorated in the style of a traditional Shinto Shrine that apparently leads to the Underworld. Some characters who are familiar with this concept may be reminded of the Buddhist Osorezan Bodaiji Temple in Japan.

Partway onto the property of the farm jack-o'-lanterns (courtesy of Jon Kent) in a variety of designs line a path, getting spookier closer to the barn. Out in front is a large stone torii gate made by Toph Bei Fong that has been painted red, as well as a table where Vivi will take payment to enter the haunted barn. That's right folks, this isn't free: every entrant requires payment in the form of candy (good candy, no cheap suckers or gum allowed) or baked goods. Accelerator is hanging around with Vivi to make sure there aren't any problems. Anyone who tries sneaking in will likely be kicked out by John Reese, whom they've recruited as security for the night.

The interior of the barn has been converted into a dark maze pulling from a mishmash of cultures. Speakers are hidden throughout and blare ominous drumming, the sounds of cackling demons and crackling fire, and horrific screams. Fog billows in from machines scrounged from the junk yard and fixed up, and the occasional strobe light flickering makes walking through disorienting. Somehow, they've even managed to pump the smell of sulfur into the building. As characters twist and turn their way through the maze they'll come across elaborate red-lit dioramas made from stone and scrap material of demons (some looking like oni, some like they're straight from the Bible) torturing people. If that isn't scary enough, fairly impressive demon and skeleton puppets have been rigged to pop out from behind corners and dark spots to provide jumpscares. And if that isn't enough, then chances are Damian, who is lurking throughout the barn, will ambush characters when they least expect it to ensure that everyone gets scared.

❬ NEW HOME BEFORE THE HARVEST ❭

A different type of newcomer...
Early in the morning of the 1st, there will be a post made to the network from someone with the username Tatianna. Some might recognize the name, while for others this will be their first interaction with her. Well, if one could call this an interaction, for she seems to have little interest in responding to anyone who actually replies to the post.

"Long time, no see, Etrayans. Seems like you haven’t failed yet, and your city still stands. Happy for you. No, really. I’m super glad. You’re definitely all super worth it.

"Anyway, we have some folks that weren’t so lucky. I’ve got them posted up at the hospital for now while they recover, so give them some space, got it? They were all half dead when we got them, and they all need their shots, and you probably need yours.

"You can thank Dylan for that, by the way. Went on some little mission for Aurora, came back with more than just himself! You can ask him about the details, but if you want the chance to talk to them, maybe you should actually try to make them feel welcome first. Unlike how I was treated.

"Let’s see if the rest of you can do a single redeeming activity. I wanna see a gift basket from every one of you. Take your time, think about it. And if you put together a nice enough basket and drop it off in front of the hospital with me then maybe- Maybe if you collectively do a passable job, I’ll let you speak to them when they’re feeling better."

While Tatianna will not be answering anyone on the network, she will be available around the hospital to receive whatever gestures of welcome and hospitality people have to offer for these mysterious and new refugees.

❬ NOTES ❭

📌 — Happy Halloween and welcome newcomers to the game! A note on the costumes that can be found in the Spirit Halloween: anything related to worlds from the characters present in game is allowed, though it might be best to check with someone first before grabbing something specific about their character. Otherwise, the sky is mostly the limit for silly costume shenanigans!

📌 — As for the little trick or treat task that has been given: characters who complete it will earn 5 extra points. These points do count towards the 25 point monthly maximum! If the character is not new they need 5 interactions (not separate threads, there can be multiple people in a single thread) with new characters where they give them candy to earn the extra 5 points.

New characters need to "trick or treat" while in costume and get candy from 5 different characters, potentially visiting their homes to do so. One can check the locations' page to get the lay of the land and where people might be, but if the exchange happens out in the wild, that also works. Once they get 5 pieces of candy from 5 people, they also get 5 points!

📌 — Feel free to play with some of the lingering effects from the TDM for the mingle, the residual impact on the land and people are still very much around. Powers may act a little funny, unfortunate incidents might occur. Have fun with it! And feel free to keep working on your bingo cards -- threads from this post will count towards them, and we'll draw prizes prior to the next mission! We've reduced the comment requirement to 5 instead of 7 to make bingo squares easier to complete.

📌 — As for the new refugees, they will be properly introduced at a later time. The effort put into these welcoming gifts and gestures by Etrayans as a whole will impact how they view them, and will flavor future interactions!

📌 — For all questions relating to the this mingle specifically, please use the MOD QUERIES comment below. Other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

🔵FULL NAVIGATION🔵

Comments

[rudelanguage]

[the ear droops.]

Annnnd that face is...because you care if that happens to me.

[oblige]

Naturally.

[ Like this is the most obvious and sensible conclusion to draw. ]

[rudelanguage]

Naturally. [she echoes it wearily, pushing up on an elbow to sit up, now wildly self-conscious about just laying like a dead rat in the frost. this is a paladin-pretending-to-be-a-dragoon-whatever-man-you-can't-fool-me's power...]

Y-you're a population of one, Dee. And it's not like you're getting any good benefits on return, you know?

[oblige]

Do I not have your company?

[ Is that not beneficial? He says it with such seriousness that clearly he thinks so. ]

Surely you cannot tell me that I'm the only one.

[rudelanguage]

[both ears go back at that.]

Here? I'm a nuisance at best and a novelty at worst most of the time, Dee. Some of that I'm fine with, and the rest is just...people being weird or, or whatever. [and yeah, yeah - a lot of that's on Knife to be better about, but...! come on!]

Maybe if I were able to do something about this supposed world-ending crap, then maybe I'd be hitting it off great? But I'm not built like that. [she flaps an arm.] So where's the value? Besides being apparently likened to some trash mammals.

[oblige]

The value is being yourself and being present.

[ His response is, once more, without hesitation.

Dion doesn't require extraneous perks. He's quite sure that isn't unique unto him. ]

[rudelanguage]

[her eyes wince at that.]

That...doesn't really make sense, Dee.

[oblige]

I understand looking at oneself in terms of utility. Being as I am, there were those who only ever viewed me that way.

[ His father being one of them, for that matter. ]

Yet there were still those who liked me just because. Can I not also feel that way about you?

[rudelanguage]

I...

[it's very tricky to find the words to explain the complicated feelings getting woven and gnarled inside, especially when a lot of it is starting to become a murky reflection of already pre-established feelings that belong decidedly elsewhere.

she picks at her arm anxiously.]

I dunno, man! I, I guess you can do what you want? Until this stupid place forces otherwise?

[oblige]

This place forces our hands in so many ways.

[ There is no denying that, though Dion would like to think their feelings are their own. What worthiness can they prove if their very autonomy is denied them to such a degree?

In any case, Antigone has accepted once more that he simply likes her, however she sees herself. Dion shifts his weight, supposing he should let that rest. ]

Would you care for some assistance with those wrappers, or do they serve as a warning to your foes?

[rudelanguage]

[confused:] What? [blink. she looks to the wrappers.]

...Assist with doing what? I'm...I'm not gonna do anything with 'em. Keep 'em, if you really want.

[oblige]

[ And he'll blink perplexedly back at her.

You'd live like this, madam? ]

I thought perhaps a cleaner camp would better suit you.

[rudelanguage]

[he can rescind the affection at any point, free of charge.

mirroring his expression:] What for?

[oblige]

Since you insist on being out here, your accommodations could be improved upon.

[ He's not giving up on her, sorry.

Time to set up her Barbie dream camp. ]

[rudelanguage]

[her ear twitches.]

In...in what way?

[oblige]

Such as a cleaner space and warmer lodging.

[ That freezing to death joke, Antigone... ]

[rudelanguage]

[she hesitates, looking around at the scattered trash.]

Iiiiiiiii guess I could spruce up a proper fire pit spot...

[oblige]

I've experience with army encampments, so I can assist you.

[ He says, like he's not going to try and make it as nice as he can. ]

[rudelanguage]

[What, right now? but Knife's so tired! running on sugar for a day, being sick and then not...it wears a body out, dammit!

she stops arm-picking and grimaces.]

I'm no army-girl, but if it makes you happy, I guess? Just don't break any of my stuff.

[...]

Unless it's already broken.

[...............]

I should...probably undo some of the traps. I guess.

[oblige]

[ She can supervise, Dion won't mind. ]

I can avoid them, if you would rather they remain.

[ Having said that, he pauses for a quick, assessing glance around her camp. ]

I'll gather some supplies and return here.

[rudelanguage]

Uh... Sh, sure? Knock yourself out, Dee. I'll...be here, I guess.

[it's hard to brush off this whole...doing-things-for-her-sake thing as a whatever-thing, especially when Dion is so fucking plain-faced about his convictions behind it. it's not a whatever-thing, it's a...caring-thing.

that's...bad, isn't it? it feels kind of like it's a bad thing; like there's some looming, invisible presence waiting to drop misfortune on Knife for the audacity of being cared for in this circumstance. which is kind of weird, because Dion's capable of minding his own shit, right? get him a drink, he can blow up the whole place!

maybe that looming, invisible presence is a bit more Soliton-shaped than it ought to be.

it's fucking frustrating. why do they have to feel like shit for mysterious reasons!! never allowed to feel safe in this place, never allowed to feel safe to make deeper connections (hell, they were starting to accept the friendship-admission from...well, he's gone now, so that's fucking great, huh?)...

it's why, whenever Dion gets back, Antigone is hiding, toying with the idea of pretending she's not there at all. maybe he'd leave? get pissed? it's a childish little test of faith and character, but boundary-poking is about the only thing Knife feels capable of doing anymore.]

[oblige]

[ Dion takes some time to return, primarily because he needs to search around for the sort of supplies that he requires. When he does drop back into Antigone's camp, he's carrying poles and some relatively large amount of folded material. It seems to him that her shelter is insufficiently sized to protect her from inclement weather, so he thinks first to remedy that.

It's unfortunate that he hasn't the skills necessary to construct something more durable, but he can at least provide her with a proper tent. Something that actually shelters her instead of some tragic little awning. ]

My apologies for the delay, I needed to find what I was looking for.

[rudelanguage]

[Holy shit. What is all that crap?! And without a goddamn wagon. Of course not - that'd be too conspicuous, right? That was the thinking, right?

all this is sussed out from where she's perched - hiding in one of the oak trees that has her alarm system is woven, untying one of the lines to let him pass undeterred.

she doesn't speak to where she's at, still feeling all mixed-up and wary, watching to see what he does.]

[oblige]

[ Dion glances around when he receives no reply. He sets his provisions down when he doesn't sight her, brushes some candy wrappers out of the way, and simply sits right there.

It would be rude to go right ahead without so much as a by-your-leave, so he will wait.

Patiently. ]

[rudelanguage]

...

[...

He's just...gonna sit there? And not even call me? Antigone feels a fluster, now assuming she's just stupid on top of everything wrong going on with her. she grinds her teeth, plucking at her cheek while riding out that loathsome surge before she decides to just buck the fuck up and deal with this.

breathe in. fur smoothed out and restored. mask back on.]

Dang, Dee. [she calls out, letting the line of dangling broken glass drop to the ground, tinkling loudly, before she hops down just after. she pushes levity into her voice.] Who'd you pillage? Anyone I know?