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

[hypnagothic]

Perhaps not during our acquaintance, but I have been known to have lovers at times.

[100more]

Oh really? Well, I wouldn't know.

[ Just more Dream never shared with him. But even if he Dream did have a lover in the past, Hob gets the sense it's been a long time for him judging by how he was in 1889. ]

I mean, you disappeared for a long time after I upset you. When you came back, I could tell something had changed.

[hypnagothic]

[ not that Dream is very physically emotive in the first place, but his demeanor grows even more still at the reminder, his eyes turning downcast to gaze on the table between them. ]

... I would have kept to our agreement in 1989 had I been able to do so.

[100more]

Really?

[ There's a tenseness that fills Hob, as well, but he masks it by lifting his tea cup. ]

Why didn't you?

[hypnagothic]

I had been ... detained.

[ an unusual pause for him. ]

[100more]

[ The little pause is noticed. Whatever it is, it must have been difficult. ]

It's alright if you don't want to tell me.

[ Hob tilts his head a little to peek at Dream's face. ]

I'm just glad you came back.

[hypnagothic]

[ he glances back up at Hob when he tries to look at him, still holding still. ]

I had not, at first, wished to tell you as I did not wish to either burden you or to expose such ... weakness on my part. But then I did, as you are my friend, though you cannot now remember it.

[100more]

Oh. I'm sorry.

[ Hob might not be able to stop apologizing for that, even if it's not really his fault he can't remember. ]

I won't ask you to share it again if it's too painful. But if you want me to know, I'd like to hear about it.

[hypnagothic]

You are entitled to know as it had affected our meeting. You also remained my friend despite making you wait for many years.

[100more]

[ Being entitled doesn't really matter to Hob, not if Dream doesn't want to talk about it. ]

As your friend, it means I'm here if you want to talk about something. It's not about having the right to know.

[hypnagothic]

You misunderstand.

[ he shifts in his seat, turning slightly more in Hob's direction. ]

As your friend, I was in the wrong to withhold the information from you as you were impacted by my absence. I should have, perhaps, shared where I had been upon our reunion, though I wished for that meeting to remain a happy one.

I would tell you of it now, if you are not overly taxed from your arrival.

[100more]

[ Hob isn't upset that Dream didn't tell him about what happened right away. He was also glad to have such a happy reunion when Dream walked into the New Inn. But now, it feels as if they have time to talk about less happy things. ]

I'm alright. You can tell me.

[ Hob may actually be weary, but he's learned to take opportunities when they present themselves. ]

[hypnagothic]

[ there's another small pause, but this time it's for the way Dream looks at Hob and then pointedly down to the still unfinished tea before him before meeting his eyes again. ]

If you are certain.

[100more]

I am.

[ He waits for Dream to continue, unless the Endless changes his mind. ]

[hypnagothic]

[ welp, it was a pitiful attempt to delay. ah well. he straightens back in his chair once more, taking a subtle deep breath. ]

I had been captured by a magic user named Roderick Burgess. He came into possession of a spellbook, one that would not have affected me ordinarily. However, he used it at a time when I had been depleted in strength, unable to fight or defend against such magicks.

[100more]

And you missed our meeting because you were held captive by that man? How long did this go on?

[hypnagothic]

For one hundred and six years.

[100more]

Oh my God.

[ Hob's expression is broken. It's as if he was told Dream had died. It must've felt like that, being trapped for over a hundred years. ]

I'm so sorry. If I had known... I should have looked for you. I just thought you hated me. I was such a fool.

[hypnagothic]

You held similar sentiments when I told you previously. And I will tell you again, Hob, that you had no reason to think otherwise. My behavior at our last meeting was on obvious reason for my absence. You could not have known any other reason.

[100more]

[ Hob supposes it makes sense if he felt the same way the first time he heard this. Though it is the first time that he can remember. ]

I understand, but I still feel so...

[ Well, he feels terrible about it. He was too distracted by his own, bruised feelings to consider anything else. ]

[hypnagothic]

Peace, Hob. You need not lash yourself for being unaware of my circumstance.

[100more]

But it must've been horrible. Humiliating. Lonely.

[ Hob is going to lash himself for awhile, after all. But he does try to think on happier matters. ]

I suppose that's all the more reason to be glad you've met someone. Do you think I'll get to meet her soon?

[ If this is Vanessa's house, she probably spends time here, right? Unless she's one of those types who has a house but is never home. ]

[hypnagothic]

[ he silently glides over the description of his experience; no need to beat a dead horse or expose one's vulnerabilities more then necessary.

but there is a slight shift in the air between them at the subject change, a softening from the tension. ]

Our meeting was also unexpected, though I daresay a far more pleasant one. Indeed, she should return shortly from her errands.

[100more]

How did you meet? In that other place, I mean. What's she like?

[ Hob is curious what sort of person would catch Dream's attention. ]

[hypnagothic]

[ the softening continues with the faint hint of a smile in Dream's expression as he recalls their first meeting. ]

We met during a night of revelry. She sought a dancing partner, though I do not believe she was overly disappointed when I declined.