JUNE MINGLE.

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: Late June into Early July
WHERE: On Etraya
WHAT: A mingle log!
NOTES\WARNINGS: N/A, please note any needed warnings in threads.

⏵ arrival ⏴ Maybe your arrival goes as anticipated. Characters awaken in the pristine, new hospital, greeted by Aurora and potentially getting a rundown of what's happening depending on their approach to being dropped somewhere new. The door to their room opens, and new arrivals are left free to explore their new environment. Or perhaps you started in space. Perhaps you were stuck on a space station, trying to escape a black hole for who knows how long. Time isn't consistent there, not like it's meant to be. And then you're here. Maybe you stepped foot into an odd hallway, which broke off into an escape pod which promptly disappeared entirely and ended up docking on the Southeast part of the city. Perhaps you had been walking through the hallways when suddenly you felt a pull. A tugging sensation in your gut, moments before the floor dropped away and the air was stolen from your lungs. It almost, almost feels like dying - like drowning but without the water. Stars flash before your eyes, and a warm sensation begins spreading from that tug. Right when it feels like it's beginning to get too hot, you're suddenly too cold. And standing in front of Corrine's Cafe, drenched in fluid that's a little too gooey (don't put it in your mouth, Connor) to be considered water. Maybe don't think about that too hard. A few companion bots swarm the area before long, bringing towels and apologies for newcomers. This isn't how you're meant to arrive, but at least they got you off that ship! They'll hand over an earpiece, but rather than earpieces that are not yet programmed with names, the companion bots have taken it upon themselves to give names out to the newcomers. Some may be closer to an average name, like "Jimmy Smith", or "Arthur Pendragon" (that's normal, right?), or they may be something a little more nonsensical, like "CHEESE IS DELICIOUS". If they make their way to the hospital, Aurora will give something closer to her normal spiel. Those who don't may want to ask some of their newfound friends because there's no explanation given by the bots working the cafe or those who have come to help. Maybe the others who have been here longer will have a better explanation. ⏵ friendship bracelets ⏴ On July 1st, Aurora sends out a message to everyone through their ear pieces: Hello, Citizens of Etraya. I am glad that you enjoyed your coffee break. Given the success of this previous endeavor, I have opted to try another experiment. This mission is optional, you are not required to complete it. However, the successful completion of this mission may aid in assisting me in assigning similar missions in the future. I would recommend, if you enjoy the task, to make an attempt. My companion bots will be handing out ten beads to each participant along with a piece of string. You will each receive one red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, pink, silver, and black bead. The goal of this mission will be to assemble a bracelet that is one color, by exchanging beads between participants. You may choose what finished color you would like to aim for. Given the limited quantity of beads, you will want to ensure you are choosing a color that has not already been widely chosen. I would like to see twenty completed bracelets. Once completed, you may return them to any companion bot. I have set up the Diner to accommodate this, but you may participate from anywhere on Etraya. If I receive at least twenty bracelets, I will provide two of those who complete theirs the opportunity to assist me in choosing not the next mission, but the one after that. Thank you, Aurora As stated in Aurora's announcement, the Diner has been set up with numerous "friendship" themed party banners. There are cookies and cakes out on the tables, although they may not be to everyone's tastes: some of the flavors are a little outrageous, while others are more generic. Just don't expect that cookie that looks like it has pickles in it instead of chocolate chips to be anything but a pickle cookie. Because it is one. ⏵ nova city ⏴ The Southeast of Etraya had been relatively empty; Wolf Cove has overtaken the southernmost bit of land with its own little environmental set up: instead of the green grass featured in the rest of Etraya, it's covered in snow. But Wolf Cove isn't the only new addition: Nova City has overtaken a large portion of two massive islands. Numerous skyscrapers stand tall enough that their rooftops almost hit the atmospheric bubble Etraya has surrounded itself in. The buildings themselves, however, are empty. There is no furniture, no signs of life, no dust, even. These facilities were not put here to use the insides of the buildings, but for the sake of having buildings. But like with all new additions to Etraya, new buildings also mean an array of new creatures. Birds of all shapes and sizes flock to the empty city, enjoying standing on top of street lamps, stray cats wander through alleyways, rodents of all shapes have begun appearing and making themselves comfortable. But those aren't the issue. It's the massive snakes that take up almost entire alleyways as they make their way between buildings, attempting to devour any creature small enough to fit into their mouths that happen to come across them. The green dragon that has built a nest on one of the taller buildings, and has a habit of swatting at anyone who comes near her - or worse yet, when she's particularly in a foul mood, breathes fire on them. Aurora has asked for those capable, to try and handle at least the snakes. They're fine while they're in the city, but there is no guarantee they will stay there. The dragon at least seems content staying right where she is. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ To report a completed bracelet, please reply to the bracelet turn-in comment. Given the fifth mission is scheduled in September, we will continue to accept submissions for this through the beginning of August, at which point we will randomly select two characters. For any questions relating to the contents of this log, please reply to our mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[odinpusrex]

[Barnabas' approach is very "ambush predator" in a way. The sit and wait style of getting things done, and it does work, as is clear with how Sandalphon approaches, brandishing those blue beads before him. Though, what's more curious to Barnabas is the power that radiates off of him. Aether is how he knows it—Dominants such as himself being quite capable of sensing such vast wells of it—though some might name it otherwise. Magic power, primordial energy, what have you. It all amounts to the same, and Sandalphon certainly sticks out among the more mundane people in this city.

Though his expression reflects nearly none of his curiosity, strictly sticking to business as he nods. The comment confirms to him that Sandalphon has been watching him, he took notice of his presence some time ago, wondering if he had seen him glance his way. It seems that is indeed the case.

Taking out his own beads, he only has a couple of violet—having traded off one of the less favorable colors for one when his bartering partner did not have blue, but was in need of the less popular orange. Violet seemed a safe bet, and Sandalphon proves that to be the case.

Wordlessly he removes the two violet from his string, placing them on the table next to the blue, his gaze aimed at the beads, before ticking up to meet Sandalphon's own. A beat passes and he plucks two of the blue up for the exchange, taking no more than he has given.]

[prevail]

[ Two for two then. It's an equitable exchange, though there is a flicker of surprise on Sandalphon's features. Maybe he's spent too much time around mortals who spoke of haggling, of getting the best possible deal, as though it were a contest of sorts. At times, it does seem sporting in its way, but Sandalphon cares more for practicality than any of that.

He recovers after his momentary lapse, retrieving the spare bead and the two he has acquired in this trade, and takes the time to string them. After giving his collection a brief assessment, he nods to himself. ]

I appreciate the trade.

[ It strikes him as proper to acknowledge the fact. The lack of verbal response doesn't concern him terribly, though he does think to contribute one other thought. ]

Someone by the counter has several blues she means to part with.

[ His observation has indeed been deliberate. ]

[odinpusrex]

[Ever and always he gives exacts. No more, no less, for he is the Lord's measure. To do any different would be against the nature that has been bestowed upon him, or so his principles demand of him, at least. Bartering is an art of the greedy, filling the chasm of worth with words sculpted with the silver tongue of a serpent.

That isn't to say that Barnabas hasn't done his fair share of deception, he certainly has, but not over something so material as this, when there are yet other avenues to acquire these beads.

At the word of appreciation, Barnabas gives a silent nod, seemingly content to maintain his own wordlessness as he fashions the beads together upon their thread. That is until Sandalphon speaks once more, his eyebrows raising just so.]

What care you for the completion of my bracelet?

[He speaks softly, almost like a whisper, his accent squarely Scandinavian, should one found themselves familiar. He also does not sound as suspicious as the words may imply, his tone neutral and listless. Inquisitive, though decidedly weighed down by his general stoicism.

Perhaps he should be concerned that Sandalphon had been keeping a close eye on him, and part of him does entertain the thought. However, it mostly intrigues him.]

[prevail]

[ In turn, Sandalphon cants his head, curious and birdlike. Was it really so unusual that he offer a modicum of assistance? He supposes the man's countenance is unfamiliar, so he may well be a new presence in this place, not privy to the challenges that have been collectively posed to them prior.

It's an assumption, and while Sandalphon knows well the consequences that may come of assumptions, this one strikes him as reasonably safe. ]

Our collective success is often measured, and this is no exception.

[ His first mission had revolved around teamwork, testing their willingness to cooperate, to collaborate, to endanger or inconvenience oneself for the sake of others. Tests he may once have failed as the Primarch of Vengeance, but he has grown since. ]

Further, it doesn't disadvantage me in any way to share information regarding this...inane task.

[ His distaste, immortal and powerful though it may be, is marked with the same scrunched nose one might expect from a child presented with vegetables. Sandalphon understands the purpose is likely an effort to encourage them to mingle, yet he can't say he cares for being set to such pointless endeavors.

If only they'd been given something beneficial to do... Then again, at least no one is in mortal peril. ]

[odinpusrex]

Very well.

[His reply is quiet and placid as he regards him, calmly studying him. He almost seems like he's going to leave it at that, but then he adds:]

Do you take measure of all you barter with, or was there aught in particular that gave rise to your scrutiny of me?

[Maybe someone else would be more aggressive or accusatory in calling out Sandalphon's observing them, but Barnabas sees no point in such things. Not when his own curiosity is piqued.

Can he tell what he is? Or did he believe he needed assistance in finishing his bracelet he took it upon himself to find more blues for Barnabas? Perhaps this gesture means something else.]

[prevail]

[ He can sense a concentration of elemental energy, something he finds peculiar in one who is apparently human. Normally, he'd only sense something like this from other primals, dragons, or oddities such as the Singularity. The last is human, or at least human enough in all the ways that matter, and yet...

What does that make the man seated before him? ]

I didn't want to waste time, so I've observed who requires which color.

[ Sandalphon explains without any form of pause for deliberation. The truth is simple and plain. Much as he finds these exercises to be pointless endeavors, they are at the mercy of their hosts. Their worlds purportedly are as well. In such a case, all Sandalphon can do is endeavor to perform well enough to satisfy whatever requirements are placed before him.

So far, that hasn't demanded that he undermine others. The few occasions that the prospect was set before him had been tests, and his decision to accept burdens himself instead of doing so meant he'd passed. Strange. Vexing. But there they have it. ]

If I had approached you with no blue beads, it wouldn't have benefited either of us.

[odinpusrex]

Indeed, it would prove a wasted endeavor.

[Barnabas says simply. There's respect to be found in the practical, respect he rarely holds for others, though Sandalphon appears to be different from the rest. Reminiscent of a Dominant, yet not quite. Is he perhaps an act of God much as the Dominants are? His divinity given form?

Who's to say, really. Well, other than Sandalphon himself, but Barnabas will not be asking directly.

He breaks his gaze from Sandalphon, glancing towards the area the suggested person Sandalphon offered should be, then flicking his focus back to him.]

Ere we part, I would know your name.

[Yet he doesn't offer his own...]

[prevail]

[ As often as Sandalphon is out of step with the social norms of mortals around him, he thinks nothing of being asked his own name first. If he should, he doesn't know it. Most of his life was spent confined in one place or another, much of that in isolation, save those who would make attempts on his life to spite Lucifer.

That had always struck him as absurd at the time, firm as he was in his belief that his existence didn't matter to anyone at all. ]

My name is Sandalphon. [ He offers his name easily, lifting a hand to brush fingertips to his dark breastplate. ] Though not the one others in this place seem to know.

[ The archangels others speak of perplex him still yet, as do so many Lucifers which are not his and are therefore inferior. No bias. ]

[odinpusrex]

[Certainly, none at all.

As Sandalphon introduces himself, touching his own breastplate, Barnabas' gaze lowers to watch the gesture. But with a tickupwards, his eyes meet Sandalphon's once more. Barnabas finds the name interesting, though unfamiliar. For all his linguistic knowhow, as well as his scholarly and religious wisdom, such a name is not one he has come across before. So, he only adds to that number, those who know him not, though in a different way.]

A common name, then?

[If others know another by it, then it seems fair to assume, despite how unique it seems. Still, he does not offer his name, and makes no effort to share it. It is fortunate that Sandalphon doesn't know mortal social norms, because for all Barnabas does, he cares little about the performance of it.]

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon's first reply is a helpless shrug of his shoulders. His name certainly has been recognized, yet he isn't the same as what others are reminded of. The difference only grew more glaring whenever Lucifer was mentioned, more than once being mistaken for Satan, which is a primal beast, not a primarch. ]

I couldn't say, but it seems other realms have archangels named Sandalphon. Yet those worlds differ from my own on what an archangel even is.

[ He's long since given up on anyone knowing what a primarch is, so he defaults to the term commonly understood in this place. The two are interchangeable in the Sky Realm, but it's another story entirely here. ]

Only one of many peculiarities.

[odinpusrex]

[The mention of angels inspires an upward tick of Barnabas' eyebrows. So, perhaps his wondering was not too far from the truth of the matter. Fascinating.]

It is passing strange, the thought of other worlds beyond my own, yet there is no denying it. That they should hold commonalities with each other in such ways is likewise odd. I, too, have crossed paths with another whose world possessed differing similarities to my own.

[He doesn't move his hand to his own black breastplate as Sandalphon did, in fact, he barely does much more than stand there as he introduces himself.]

I am King Barnabas Tharmr, Warden of Darkness and Dominant of Odin. Know you of him—of Odin?

[prevail]

[ This time, it's Sandalphon's eyebrows that hike up, surprised not by speaking to royalty but at the mention of a familiar name. For once it's not the name of another angel, and that in and of itself is a novelty. ]

Indeed, Odin exists in my world as a primal being.

[ He knows neither "warden" nor "dominant" as Barnabas uses them, though it must have something to do with his connection to his world's Odin, surely. Then there was that bit about darkness... ]

The Odin of my realm has light as his element, as I do now.

[ Now being the operative word. Before inheriting Lucifer's wings, Sandalphon was one of the few beings in existence to be elementally neutral. ]

[odinpusrex]

[Light... What an odd thought, and idly he wonders about what that might be like. If he were the Warden of Light, and Bahamut the Warden of Darkness, how might that change their fates...Not that such wondering matters much, their fate was ever set, for it is His will, His grand design, yet it is a most curious thought...

One he dismisses quickly, instead focusing on the detail of Odin being a primal being.]

That the Odin you are familiar with would wield light is...fascinating. One must wonder the root of these parallels between realms, and so too their deviations.

[Though, that Sandalphon is likewise a wielder of light is interesting. It would explain the power he feels, the intensity. Yet, the wording catches him, and so he looks at him with renewed interest.]

Light has not always been yours to command, then?

[He quietly wonders if Sandalphon can siphon power much as Mythos can, if he did not possess it to begin with—or did he awaken much as Barnabas had, all those years ago?]

[prevail]

It is a curious thing, isn't it?

[ It's an interesting reversal of elements, and Sandalphon finds him wondering what cause or purpose may have led to such differences. At some other time, it might bear further comparison, as some patterns may exist that they could learn someting from.

For now, however, Sandalphon tips his head in a short nod. ]

As you say, I wasn't always like this. I was elementally neutral to begin with, likely because my purpose wasn't known.

[ Lucifer could hardly tailor him to a purpose that wasn't disclosed to him. It makes good sense, in Sandalphon's mind, that he hadn't been bound to a particular element... And when it turned out he was meant to fill in for Lucifer, it proved the case that his design was ideal for that very thing.

When he inherited Lucifer's wings, his element became light. When the other primarchs passed their wings to him as well, he became capable of adopting their elements. It makes him uniquely adaptable in a way he never would have considered prior. ]

[odinpusrex]

[Barnabas' gaze becomes far more intense in its focus on Sandalphon, as if he could investigate the truth of his words through scrutiny alone. It does sound like his abilities work in a similar sense to that of Mythos, though light would be what ignited him, instead of fire.

That he should come across another that might share in Mythos' gift is...odd and unexpected both, and he wishes to know more.]

You are unique in this way—of gaining another's power over their aspect?

[If Sandalphon is willing to tell him about his powers, then it would be foolish of him to not seize this opportunity. After all, who knows when this information may become relevant or advantageous. There is a lot that Barnabas needs to learn of this place, of those who share his fate as a captive, and the more he knows, the better.]

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon folds his arms across his armored chest as he considers this. He had stolen wings in the past and so had Belial. What Belial had taken from Sariel was his same element. So far as he knows, no other angel had been able to take wings from those of different elements and adopt that element.

Accordingly, the answer could have been complicated, if not for phrasing. ]

To my knowledge, I'm the only one.

[ Whether taken or given, he could wield the elements of the other primarchs under normal conditions. Ultimately, they'd ceded their wings to him when they retired from their duties. ]

But since arriving here, I have only been able to wield light.

[ It's peculiar, especially since he hasn't lost any of his wings. ]

[odinpusrex]

Fascinating.

[The word is almost whispered, more to himself, than to Sandalphon.]

What other elements were you possessed of ere your arrival?

[That he should be robbed of them is...strange. It makes him wonder if Mythos would similarly be stripped of his claimed prizes should he likewise be brought here. There's no telling, really. Only the theorizing he's left with, and the idle wondering that will likely never afford him an answer.]

[prevail]

The tetra elements, as they're called in the Sky Realm. Water, wind, earth, and fire.

[ All but darkness. He doesn't know whether he'll ever come to wield that last element, nor how he could do so. With twelve wings, ten of which are inherited, Sandalphon isn't quite certain he's capable of taking on more.

Then again, he's never known what he was capable of until it came to pass. ]

In my realm, the balance of those four keep the islands aloft. An imbalance would cause them to lose their buoyancy.

[odinpusrex]

[Barnabas nods in understanding, but he cannot help but wonder about the other elements he did not mention. What of lightning, of ice?]

From whence I hail it is unusual for one to hold command over various elements, oft one holds dominion over a single aspect, or none at all.

[Though this is true, there are some exceptions when it comes to the Dominants. They certainly hold the greatest command of their element over anyone else, yet there are secondary aspects to consider. Sleipnir's hooves crackle with lightning, and while the destructive flame he can conjure in his hand is not the fires man is familiar—rather it is something infinitely more destructive—it is a flame all the same.]

Though the practice is not unheard of. It is of no surprise to me that balance is required to maintain your realm, for as separate as our elements prove themselves to be, they long for balance and reunion—for unity—as a matter of course.

[prevail]

In my case, it's something I inherited from the others.

[ When the others had passed their wings to him, Sandalphon had gained lasting access to those elements. When he once stole the other primarchs' wings, he'd been able to wield their power then too, if only until he was stopped. It hadn't been entirely stable back then, the way it has been since they were given to him voluntarily.

He frowns as he considers what it would mean to the skies for him to be here and not there. Those wings hadn't left him, but the access to those elements had. Could it have been left behind, somehow? Sandalphon has no way of knowing. ]

I've never had to wonder how the world would fare in my absence... But may I ask what form that unity takes in your realm? Mine, I would think, is coexistence.