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

[doctopoda]

Oh, yes?

[Well! That's actually rather delightful!]

Good for you! Everyone loves a good cafe.

[prevail]

That's what I've observed as well.

[ The right atmosphere can lift the spirits, he knows. ]

I've spent some time studying established cafes, especially the ones with good reputations.

[doctopoda]

Oh yeah? What are your findings?

[Not that Otto cares to get into the business, but it's always interesting to hear people talk about their own interests.]

[prevail]

I think there is much to be said for the ones that cultivate a welcoming, serene atmosphere. One you might enjoy with those close to you.

[ He'd only come upon this thought shortly before all of this, but Sandalphon is convinced of it just the same. ]

I'd like to create something like that, but I'm still learning what it requires.

[doctopoda]

I'm afraid I couldn't help you much with that. I'm in an entirely different business. But that does sound nice.

[prevail]

I'll continue to work on it. [ Since this man so kindly asked, it naturally follows he inquire in turn, right? ] What is your profession?

[ He gestures at the metal limbs. ]

Something to do with machinery?

[doctopoda]

...I'm a nuclear physicist. Though, I guess I'm currently unemployed, hm?

[Maybe that's a bit of an obvious dodge. But - well, he wouldn't be able to pick that same work up again here no matter what.]

[prevail]

New-clear...?

[ His brow furrows, trying to figure out what this word means. ]

[doctopoda]

Ah. [Well, now that he thinks about it, that totally makes sense. Let's just super-simplify.] It's a form of generating energy.

[prevail]

Ah, I see.

[ He appreciates the simplification. ]

Then your appendages are unrelated?

[doctopoda]

Not entirely. I built them so that I could handle the materials involved - they're too dangerous for direct contact.

[If he'd just...just automated it, or - ]

[prevail]

For safety, then... I understand.

[ Though one thing remains unclear to him. ]

Are there no alternatives to working with dangerous materials?

[doctopoda]

Oh, there could be. Not with nuclear energy, but there's other forms. Oil and coal aren't any better, but there's no risk from solar.

[prevail]

...Do you not typically harness the elements in your world?

[ This guy only recently invented the box fan in his world, so his level of technology is wildly different. But he's trying! ]

[doctopoda]

There's wind-powered generators too? But I think that isn't quite what you mean.

[prevail]

Wind is an element, but I'm inclined to agree.

[ It doesn't sound quite the same. ]

The elements that comprise my world are present as a form of energy, such as what I'm made of.

[doctopoda]

What you're made of? Oh, certainly not. We just build turbines for the wind to push, and the movement generates energy. There's no controlling it. Or...creating people.

[Obviously? But maybe it isn't that obvious anymore.]

[prevail]

I see... I wonder whether that energy is different in its nature then, or only how your people have learned to use it.

[ Sandalphon brings a hand to his chin as he considers this. He suspects Lucifer would find it fascinating to compare, and he'd be better equipped to do so. Perhaps, in his own case, something smaller. ]

Are there no artificial beings in your world?

[doctopoda]

No - [A tentacle looks at him, and Otto exchanges a momentary glance with it. Hm.] - well, maybe it isn't that clear-cut. Some of our artificial intelligences may be heading in that direction.

[Though he maintains that the actuators' AI would never have developed the way they have without being merged with his own mind for an extended period of time. He wouldn't begrudge other AI their sapience, of course, but he hopes it comes about more naturally if it ever does.]

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon's gaze ticks to the mechanical limb, then back to Otto's face. He lifts a hand, palm up, gesturing toward the appendage. ]

Do they have names?

[ It's an honest question, coming from a world where creatures with multiple heads just might have individual names for them. The limbs certainly react in a way that suggests awareness, some measure of selfhood, yet Sandalphon knows nothing about them. Does Otto call them by something? ]

[doctopoda]

Oh - yes, actually. Just jokes we came up with during the testing phases, originally.

[If he'd meant to name actual conscious entities he might not have been so flippant about it, but what's done is done. Otto doesn't really know anyone who wouldn't come up with nicknames for the robots you're working on - at least, once they're at the point where you can move some part of them like a puppet and pretend they're talking.]

That's Harry, Larry, Flo, and Mo. They're...well, at this point, I'd say they're developing.

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon observes each limb as Otto names them off and nods afterward, committing these to memory. Names are important, as is the acknowledgement that comes with them, and he intends to respond to them properly going forward. ]

I'll remember them for the future. [ As for "developing", he takes some moments longer to consider that. ] Would you say they are new, then?

[ To the world or to awareness itself? His kind have never been children, have never been young in the sense that mortals are, but they were each new at one time. ]

[doctopoda]

Oh, yes. They've only been in, hm, full production for a matter of months. They took quite a lot longer than that to build, program, and test, of course - but they spent most of that time inactive.

[And anyway, everything that came before the accident just seems...different. To them, not just him.]

[prevail]

So they will continue to learn...and they may surprise you.

[ He suspects the way he turned out had surprised Lucifer, though he couldn't speculate to what degree. How long had it taken to create him once assigned the task? Funny, Sandalphon had never wondered before.

Now that it occurs to him, he can't ask. ]

As for the present, I'm pleased to make their acquaintance as well.

[doctopoda]

They may.

[Though the way he says it isn't particularly warm. He frowns for a moment, looking at nothing in particular, then adds:]

I'd like to tell you they feel the same, but I'm not sure it's a concept they have. They don't see you as a threat, that's about as good as you'll get.