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

[levelshift]

Why are you bothering?

[In his very teenage opinion, Otto is kind of old to be making friendship bracelets.]

[doctopoda]

I'm interested in seeing a bit of the inner workings of this place, if I can.

[Besides - what else does he have going on here, tbh?]

[levelshift]

There's gotta be a better way to do that. Collecting beads is just stupid busywork.

[Or, more charitably, another of Aurora's attempts at an icebreaker.]

[doctopoda]

[shrug]

It's not as if it takes long. And the size of the beads is good practice for them.

[Gesturing to the actuators.]

[levelshift]

[...... Well, that's a good point. A scientific explanation is a lot more reasonable than a friendship one.]

Do you have to calibrate those things regularly?

[doctopoda]

Yes, especially now. They weren't exactly designed with this use case in mind.

[They were never even really meant to go outside. Much less spend half their time hauling a middle-aged man around like giant spider legs.]

The smaller mechanisms in particular get less regular use, and they're more likely to develop issues.

[levelshift]

Hmm.

[If the previous missions are any indication those things are likely going to go through a lot of wear and tear. The labyrinth was weeks of rough survival, and even the plushies were aggressive once they transformed.]

You got the equipment you need if they need repairing?

[He's mostly curious because those things are pretty interested.]

[doctopoda]

Some. Not all of it - the more specialized pieces will likely take some finding. Though I'm told they might just turn up one day.

[That his whole lab might. Otto...isn't sure how he feels about seeing the place again, in truth, but he can't deny that he could sure use the contents.]

[levelshift]

You could ask Aurora for it, too.

[That might be easier than hoping equipment just shows up.]

We rack up points based on how we do in missions. You can basically use it like money to get shit from her.

[doctopoda]

Oh, good, she's brought capitalism into it.

[Weren't the threats to their home universes enough?]

But that's good to know, I'll keep it in mind.

[levelshift]

[He snorts at that remark. It's funny! He has a sense of humour. Sometimes.]

Uh huh. Well, good luck with that shit.

[Aurora has provided a lot of modern amenities and compensated for stuff like his choker, so it should be fine.

He's shoving his bracelet back in his pocket and turning to head inside.]

[doctopoda]

Thanks.

[Otto doesn't really expect too many people to go out of their way to help him; he'll figure it out himself, one way or another. He nods as the kid goes, then turns his attention back to what the actuators are doing. (When did they start on a second bracelet?)]