etrayalogs | MISSION 004 (part 1)

MISSION 004 (part 1)

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: July 19th-July 27th.
WHERE: Moorecroft Village
WHAT: Enjoy life in your new suburban neighborhood!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Potential death.

⏵ welcome home ⏴
Welcome to Moorecroft Village, where the sun casts a gentle glow through soft white clouds. Pavement paths wind around the village, adorned with wildflowers in every hue. Birds sing a soothing melody, while a few content cats lounge in sunspots or on benches along the streets. Cars hum by, ferrying residents to work, the store, or back home after a busy day.

It looks almost perfect. The ideal little village, occupied by individuals from all over. Orcs, elves, faeries, werewolves, vampires, and dhampirs coexist harmoniously, each contributing to their quaint little town. Despite their varied backgrounds, they appear to embrace this place as their own. They take their baby carriages out during the day for a stroll, chatting with friends and neighbors about current happenings, discussing their most recent mission (a ‘game’ of Whodunit, in which one of theirs, Theo, was tasked with killing one of their own each day and they all had to figure out who had killed them before they could come back to life) and the difficulties therein, new job assignments, weird things the teens in their houses are getting up to... generic, neighborly conversations.

The village is full of life. There are numerous facilities to wander and things to do! The library houses a vast collection of books spanning history from countless other worlds and whimsical children's tales. Teens gather at the ice skating rink, while the movie theater screens films spanning generations. An aquarium full of wonders: glowing rainbow fish, miniature great white sharks, a colorful octopus with patterns running over it that almost look like ivy, and numerous others.

In the daytime, everyone can explore clothing stores, indulge in gourmet cakes from the grocers, and partake in leisurely pursuits without financial concerns; just like on Etraya, money does not exist here.

⏵ help wanted ⏴
Moorecroft surpasses Etraya in its development, offering attractions and activities to engage its inhabitants throughout the day. But with these advancements come additional responsibilities. By day, at least one adult from every household is expected to fulfill their shifts at 'day jobs', lasting anywhere from four to eight hours. Meanwhile, the youth are expected to go to school, absorbing knowledge in various disciplines.

Each job duty requires different skillsets, but whether or not those required skillsets are matched to those who are expected to work them... well. They’ll have plenty of time for training, won’t they? Or perhaps they’ll get dropped right into their job and be expected to figure it out all on their own.

For the younger residents, education is structured into two main institutions: "Sandalwood Lower" for those twelve and under, and "Maplewood Upper" for older students. These schools offer a broad curriculum encompassing Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Technology, Fine Arts, and a diverse array of Foreign Languages. Electives range widely, from specific sports to Survival Training, Creative Writing, Journalism, and Sociology.

At lunchtime, the school cafeteria presents an array of choices. Options range from standard fare like school pizza to other offerings such as vampire's blood, brains, and hearts—just in case an unexpected guest should drop in. After all, one never knows who might show up in Moorecroft.

⏵ honey do's ⏴
But life extends beyond work and school. A structured routine of what is expected of each household is kept on digital calendars, and installed on the wall in the kitchen of each house. These calendars update daily with smaller tasks, and weekly with larger ones, detailing what is expected of those residing within its walls.

Typical tasks include simple activities such as:

Take the child(ren) for a walk outdoors.
Visit the local park.
Bake a pie for the neighbors.
Tell your spouse(s) how important they are to you.
Share a secret.
Shop with your child(ren).
Mow the lawn.
Don’t forget to attend your child’s school’s PTA meeting!
Help with homework.
Take family photos.
Go on a date.

More complex tasks are found under weekly checklists, and may involve:

Host a neighborhood barbeque competition.
Volunteer at the hospital.
Teach your child a sport.
Start a soccer league.
Create a garage band.
Get a part time job.
Join a club.

Eos will check off each task as it is completed. At the bottom of each calendar, a tally records the completion of tasks, providing a visual measure of productivity and community involvement.

⏵ night watch ⏴
As the sun lowers over the horizon, everything shifts. Every long-term resident understands the consequences of curfew and the threats within. They retreat to their homes, urging those unfamiliar to them who may not understand the rules just yet that they, too, need to return indoors for the night.

Within the confines of their houses, life continues under a fragile veil of normalcy. A peek into some of the homes of long-term residents will find them playing board games with their family units, completing homework or work assignments they were unable to finish during the day, watching a few family-friendly shows on their couches, or enjoying a late dinner. Eventually, they’ll return to their beds and wait for the sound of their alarms.

In Moorecroft, no friendly companion bots roam the streets during the day. In their place, highly advanced robots emerge to enforce curfew once the time comes. They silently make their way through the streets, sweeping away anything that isn’t part of Eos’ design: trash left out on the street, bugs left by suspicious men wearing cowls that have ears on them, graffiti, new decor that Eos decides she doesn’t like. No winds shake the trees, there are no cars on the road, but noises can be heard coming from outside that don't sound... normal by any means. Croaks, whispers, scratches against doors and walls alike.

Those who defy curfew will be asked, once, to return to their homes. If they opt not to listen, they are met with force: physically restrained, subdued, and dragged back to their homes. If they decide to fight, the bots are not above killing them and dropping their limp bodies just inside the front door of their houses. They will revive after 48 hours but not without cost. Each return carries an absence—a missing memory, a lost skill, or a fragment of their very essence, stolen away in the process of their revival.

Even those who manage to evade capture will awaken in their beds with no recollection of their death or what they may have witnessed before dying. They will instead have a vague feeling that something horrifying happened.

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Daily and weekly tasks can be chosen by players! We won't be listing these out for each household, but relying on players to choose what's most fun for them to play with within their households.

As noted on Mission Plotting, we're open to one group successfully staying out past curfew, but would like to keep this to one thread.

We have a separate log for NPC interactions for this mission!

For any questions relating to the contents of this log, mod queries thread on the initial plotting post to assist us in keeping all mission-related information in one place. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.
⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I. Lord's Measure

[All of this seemed simple enough from the outset. They were to play roles given to them, work in units that would simulate small families, and they would maintain order through their obedience to the established structure of this civilization. Rather clear cut instructions, which is what Barnabas prefers, even if he denies having something so condemning as a preference.

A lot of it is as alien as it is intriguing to Barnabas, many of its modernism strange to him, yet not so absurd that he cannot grasp it well enough to play his bit part in the grand scheme of it all. That they use machines instead of chocobos for transportation is...an adjustment, but not one he finds terribly necessary to achieve his goal. Thus when Cid took an interest in dismantling theirs for the sake of his insatiable curiosity, Barnabas remained silent, voicing no objection.

Through the trial of dealing with Cidolfus, he figured out the lawn mower, and is now doing his part in maintaining his lawn. However, as he finishes—leaving the lawn with perfectly precise striping, truly the stuff of lawncare magazines everywhere that might make yard enthusiasts everywhere in envy—he takes notice of his neighborhoods' lawns. Of those who care a little less of maintaining the aesthetics that are so clearly intrinsic to the village's identity.

That is to say, the responsibility that falls to them in order to succeed in their mission. Barnabas weighs the options in his mind, of leaving the others to their sloppily maintained yards which are made all the more apparent in comparison to his own, however the alternative is taking it upon himself to do things right. After all, if their success is to be weighed as a whole and not as individuals, then his failure to act when he could would be reflective upon him—upon his world, would it not? Would such indolence be forgiven if he gave less than what is required, simply because the task was not his?

The end result is nothing short of Barnabas taking his lawnmower, as well as other lawn equipment, and handling people's lawns for himself. The distinct sound of the lawnmower outside is certainly him, and should someone come to see what the hell is going on, they will be greeted with Barnabas, stoic as ever, mowing their lawn. Dressed in black overalls, a white t-shirt (which, like his brow, bears the sweaty evidence of his hard work, it is summer after all), work boots, and gloves.

He does not seem keen to stop what he's doing just because someone noticed him. Whether from the sidewalk or from the house, he appears to be singularly focused on his task and his task alone. Or he is just merely choosing to ignore anyone trying to interrupt him.

Where is this man's keeper..?]

II. Lay of the Land (all around, multiple prompts)

[Throughout the week Barnabas can be found around town.

Though he is not one to stay overlong in places like the clothing or grocery store, he can be found there all the same. Whether or not one thinks its wise to approach the otherwise sullen man when he clearly wants to get what he needs and get out, well, that's up to them! But hey, he is the head of the PTA, and maybe there's something they want to discuss with him—or maybe they catch him being held up by one of the residents who has been here far longer than the Etrayans have, voicing their concerns about the past head of the PTA, and what they think might be better for the children! How the last Head did not listen to their utterly legitimate and assuredly well researched ideas, and—! With the way he stares at them with darkened eyes, visibly wilting in the face of their continual rambling, one might feel the siren song of sympathy to come help free him.

Or not, maybe someone just wants to make his day worse!

When he isn't being accosted at the store, Barnabas can also be found sometimes at the local park. It could be early in the morning when he's set about jogging right as curfew has lifted, dressed for the task though his top is black, his shorts a royal blue, while both enjoy a yellow trim. He doesn't seem too interested in chatter, but he will not refuse someone joining him for his morning jog, either. Does that mean he enjoys the company? Hard to know, with him.

However, later in the day after work he also sometimes visits the park, silently siting upon a bench keeping to himself while others interact, play games, and socialize. He seems keen to simply watch in his solitude and silence. Perhaps he would like some company (he wouldn't), or maybe he's stirring up concern if one notices his gaze is lingering on someone for what seems like an uncomfortably long time (probably valid). Honestly, it might be best to just let him be (but where's the fun in that?).

Should a stray ball, frisbee, or whatever other park-game related object happen to come his way, he will catch it before disaster strikes. Though perhaps the real disaster is the fact someone now has to retrieve it from him, and he doesn't look all too friendly. Don't worry, that's just his face! Well, he also isn't friendly, but the point is even if he was, he'd probably still look just as surly and unwelcoming! So, good luck?

Barnabas can also sometimes be found around his neighborhood, and not only when he's trying to maintain the uniformity of the lawns. Perhaps you catch him when he's picking up the newspaper in the morning before his jog, or when he's coming home from work before tucking himself away inside. He can also be found standing outside his house as curfew approaches, keeping a keen eye on others, as if watching to make sure they have likewise returned to their abodes in time.

After all, this is a group effort, isn't it? It would be rather recalcitrant of him if he did not do his part in making certain they were all abiding by the mission.]

III. Wildcard!

[Wanna throw a prompt at me? Feel free! I will be posting for the BBQ competition and the PTA agenda meetings separate from this for the sake of organization and the spirit of a mingle for either thing, so worry not! You will have the chance to have fantasy Scandinavian BBQ as well as the chance to make Barnabas' life even more miserable with his job!]

Edited 2024-07-20 01:34 (UTC)

[While Barnabas has taken the productive route in starting this mission, Accelerator has decided on the opposite tactic. He's been through two of these things now, both of which sucked big time, and especially after the nightmare plushies the idea of having to play family with a bunch of strangers is something he'd very much like to skip. He can't even handle being respectful and polite with his own family back home, how the hell is he supposed to do that here?

It grates at his nerves, so as soon as everyone arrives on Eos' planet he does the smart thing, which is storm inside the house, up the stairs, and shut himself in the first bedroom-that-clearly-isn't-the-master that he finds. He locks the door, and proceeds to try and take a nap.

...... Which is kind of hard to do with the sounds of a lawnmower going for an extended period of time right outside his window. He does his best to ignore it, figuring it'll stop eventually, but it keeps going and going and going and going and at some point his patience wears out and he grabs his crutch, then heads downstairs.

Oh, this guy. Apparently they're assigned together as a family, or something? Does that make him his fake dad? God, why.

Standing at the entrance to their house, Accelerator eventually ambles on over to the fence separating the two yards, leaning on his crutch and looking like the epitome of exasperated.]

You know those fucking lawns are the responsibilities of other people, right?

[For Barnabas, he has cared little to take stock of his family, because it did not matter much. It was purely performative, and they are more as teams than truly anything so intimate. However, there was one member of the family that did have the potential to make things complicated, but Cidolfus' presence is something he will deal with as is needed, and in this moment it isn't.

Instead, he is dealing with the boy of their two-child household, and while Barnabas is tempted to keep mowing as he sees the boy approach, drowning out whatever noise he tries to spew his way by the far greater racket of the machine—he chooses instead to kill the engine and see what the boy has to say. After all, he hobbled all the way here on his crutch, and being his temporary father, he cannot afford to neglect his paternal duty as his neighbors have neglected their lawns.

He frowns.]

Responsibilities they are keen to ignore. What care you of this matter?

[From Accelerator's point of view, which is admittedly severely lacking in lawn care experience, the grass in the yards of the neighbours looks perfectly fine. There aren't any weeds as tall as him so what's the matter???

Not that he cares either way. If people want to tackle his mission on their own terms that they're free to do so, as long as they don't bother him while doing it. Barnabas is, unfortunately, ruining his genius plan of skipping the entire mission via sleep.

Also, goddamn he speaks formally. Hannibal would probably love that.

He scowls in return.]

I'm trying to take a goddamn nap and that thing - [He waves his free hand at the lawnmower, shooting it a look like it's personally offended him.] - is too fucking loud. Just let the grass grow out, no one's gonna notice or care.

[Barnabas continues to frown at Accelerator. Of course he would be given a boy who was ill-disciplined. One who did not respect order nor structure.]

We are to meet the expectations of the list, and indolence will be noticed.

[Not that the list told him to mow the whole neighborhood, but still.]

Have you completed your own list—or are you determined to simply sleep your responsibilities away?

[Cid is wheeled under the car, happily fucking about and mentally mapping parts as he notes the lawnmower starting to sound a bit more distant. That was weird, and its just distracting enough for Cid to pull himself out and look around… To, yeah, Barnabas handling other peoples’ yards.]

[Cid stands up, brushing dust off his front. He’s wearing a mechanic’s jumpsuit, unzipped with the arms tied around his waist against the heat, as well as a white tank top. He moseys over to Barnabas and stands adjacent to wherever he is, hopelessly unable to be heard over the lawnmower with the depth of his voice. ]

Barnabas! Our yard ended back there!

[The sight of Cid catches him. Ever has he cut a handsome figure, an objective fact about the man, one emphasized by the clothes he dons, and the grit he well wears. However, as Cid tries to shout over the lawnmower, Barnabas simply continues despite being able to make out what he said to him. His gaze lingered on Cid for only a moment, before he continued with his task, giving Cid little option outside of either continuing to shout at him—from where he stands or while pursuing him, or he can attempt to grab the mower from him.

There is always the kill switch too...]

[Cid sighs, spreading and dropping his arms in an exaggerated exasperated gesture. He reaches over to the handle and flips the kill switch.]

Come on, what are you doing? We still have daily tasks to complete, and you’re out here doing what? Taking other’s tasks?

[Cid wipes sweat from his brow with his thick workman’s gloves. His tank top was already partially see through on his back and the middle of his chest. Cid briefly considers the list, openly on display in the kitchen for all to see. He’d memorized it by 8:30am. ]

Or is this your misguided attempt to be helpful, hm?

Do not scold me on misguided attempts, Cidolfus.

[Barnabas volleys back with a stare as sharp as the blades on the mower. He keeps his gaze focused on Cid's face, not allow it to wander anywhere else.]

Do you believe me incapable of handling my tasks? Yet, if I recall, you have been under the automobile for the better part of the afternoon.

[Don't you criticize him for his fixations when you can't even break from your own, Cid!]

Better part of the afternoon? It was probably only… [He peers at his watch from under his work glove.]

Fuck.

[He puts his hands on his hips and turns to look at the car. No way that thing was getting put all the way back together before curfew.]

Help me push the car into the garage before the cleaners come? We can argue about all this later.

[As the undone task sits there in his mind, he frowns, unwilling to touch it. He feels compelled to procrastinate. There was still time, after all. ]

[Barnabas looks at the sky, judging the time by that alone.]

I will not leave this task unfinished.

[He leans down to start the mower again.]

[Cid watches incredulously as Barnabas starts the mower again. He yells over the mower, best he can.]

Are you fucking kidding me?

What if this is on their task list?! [He’s aware he’s being drowned out by the mower. He reaches for the kill switch again.]

[Barnabas looks at Cid, catching him by the wrist. When he speaks, Cid can hear him in perfect clarity. His voice nestling deep into his ear.]

Then it would be a task which would not reach completion without my studious hand.

[Then he pushes Cid's hand away before he starts pushing the mower again.]

[Cid shivers as he does that. He claps a hand over his ear and scowls at the other man. He balls his thrown hand into a fist.]

Are we sure we’re meant to be doing others’ tasks? That’s my concern!

Barney!

[Cid groans as Barnabas continues apparently undaunted. He looks back at the owners of the home- Sandalphon and Vincent. Should he go check their list to be sure? He turns back to yell at Barnabas.]

Come on!

What if when it is left undone, its incomplete nature is held against our household? Do not leave a task unfinished, though I suppose that is not a principle you abide by.

[Like the Valhalla for instance.

Barnabas does continue down the yard, pivoting at the end to start a new stripe. There isn't much left, really, but enough to make this conversation annoying for the both of them.]

[Cid thinks he’s referring to the top thing on his mind: the task for the day.]

[Item number eight: Kiss your spouse.]

Fine, then!

[He watches him continue in silence, thinking, roiling. He lets him finish the yard. He doesn’t want this to be any stupider than it has to be. He stands and stares at Barnabas, hawklike.]

[Barnabas knew there was a good chance that comment might give Cid pause, but he was anticipating more than his acquiescence. However, Cid stays put and allows him to finish his work, and as he gets closer to the end of his task, he grows in his suspicion. Turning the mower off and elevating the blade, he makes his way back over towards Cid, his brow furrowed slightly as he stares at him in focused scrutiny.

Truly Cid had more of a fight in him than that? Or was his age and poor health killing his spirit too? No...the way he had been staring at him belied something, but what he did not know.

As he approaches, he stops a pace or so from Cid, staring at him just as intensely, but saying nothing.]

Edited 2024-07-20 04:25 (UTC)

OTA | will match style

I. best way to meet tbh

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neighborhood

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