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

[ It's circular, destructive logic, isn't it? You don't need them, because if you needed them you'd be weak and they'll see that and they'll leave. So you don't need them. You don't.

She doesn't know what to think about that anymore, though. ]

They still disappoint you.

[ THere's something small and bitter in her tone. ]

They're selfish. They hurt you. And you just wish they'd die.

[ ... ]

You deserve better than to get hurt, Asuka.

[ It sounds like her case is even worse than his own, after all. Sure, his mother left him all by himself, but-- it's not being selfish, right? She just wasn't thinking about it. She just can't imagine things from his point of view. And sure, his father hurt him, but it was just.. It was just the way he was.

Asuka's case has to be way worse if she was actually hoping for them to die, so Fabian can't even think about his own hurt in the face of her own. He doesn't want to. ]

I realize it might make everything I say hard to believe, yes. But-- I promise you that I have meant every single word I have told you in this place. And I am sorry that others may have lied when they said those things.

[ Another pause, and then-- ] I mean, if any of those people ever show up here and you need me to punch them for you, you can always give me a call.

Don't pity me!

[ Her voice rises and then she has to reel herself back in, body language tight and contained and defensive, her arms wrapped around herself as she stares at him with a mixture of venom and fear and maybe a sense of pleading. ]

Deserve - deserve doesn't matter. of course I don't deserve it! But - that's just how it is. That's what people do to me. They decide I'm not good enough. They abandon me. They leave me. Shinji left me to die. NERV never cared in the first place. My mother - my mother-

[ It's a complicated, messy story. ]

I don't need you to protect me!

[ Although she'd like to be protected. She likes him, in her own way. To be safe, to trust, to let her defenses down, that would be nice, but it's a fantasy. ]

[ It's not like Fabian hasn't used some avoidance tactics before, but-- his own are way different from Asuka's. He's seen this from her before, but the degree to which she's drawing up a wall filled with spikes right now is definitely a lot.

It's a good thing that he has never been the kind of person to give up easily. ]

You don't need it, no.

[ Because Asuka could clearly punch someone herself if she wanted to. She's got the spirit for it. ]

But I'm going to do it anyway. [ Fabian straightens up a little. ] Have I not made it very clear that I am determined to prove to you that I won't just abandon you?

I-

[ She sputters for a moment, searching for something to say. She's heard stuff like this before, hasn't she? But he seems so convinced that it's hard to just outright dismiss it. She falters for a moment. ]

I'm not weak!

[ She finds that to be the best retort she can muster. ]

You're not.

[ He says it so easily.

There's no emphasis. No pushiness about his tone when he says that, even. Fabian isn't saying it like he has to convince her of the fact that it's true - he's just saying it like it is an objective fact. Like he thinks it's something so obvious about Asuka that she hardly even has to mention it. ]

.. you know, my papa always said that strong people don't need anyone else. But.. [ There's a moment, a slight pause, and then Fabian does look a touch flustered. Like saying this isn't so easy for him either, but maybe Asuka just has to hear it from someone for once. ] I think he was wrong about that. Sometimes, when you find a connection of any sort to the right person-- You can draw even more strength from that sort of thing, on top of what already exists within you.

[ God, why does he have to say it like that? She knows. She knows that connections matter and they can help, but she hates it. She hates having to rely on people, no matter how irrational it is. Because every time she starts to think that she's not worth it, that she'll let down her mother somehow, that it's all just another stupid mistake. ]

...is that the kind of connection you think we have?

[ Her voice is low. Maybe a little dangerous.

She doesn't know how she feels about this question or what she wants the answer to be. ]

[ There's a split second before he answers - though it's more because of the tone she's using than due to any real hesitance on Fabian's part. He knows his answers, even if he can't tell for sure what's going on inside of Asuka's head. ]

I like to think we are friends.

[ And is that a connection one could draw strength from? Sure. Fabian knows that he'd jump into any sort of trouble to help her out, even though he knows she'd yell at him that he doesn't have to do that at all if he'd mention it out loud.

Which is why he doesn't. ]

Friends.

[ She repeats the word, almost as if it has a bitter taste. She has mixed, confused feelings about that. That deep, instinctive urge to lash out and push him away, to make him prove that he'll be there when she's at her worst. To show that she's not worth it, to wallow in that self-fulfilling prophecy of not needing anyone and driving them away. She punishes herself because she deeply dislikes who she is - it's not even conscious, sometimes. ]

Maybe. I don't have a lot of friends. And I don't - I don't need people.

[ It's a lie, she knows it's lie, she says it anyway because there's somehting about making her own emotions go sour that's familiar and almost safe, for all the harm it does. ]

What makes you think I want your strength? Or that I need it?

[ Fabian could point out that Asuka's entire attitude practically puts up a neon sign above her head that reads 'I need friends.'

But that's not exactly the nice thing to do. And he wants to do the nice thing here - not just because her attitude is kind of terrifying (because Fabian has always had a thing for terrifying women deep down, after all), but just because the fact that so many people have let her down just makes him want to show her all the more that there are people in this world you can trust. Even if it's not everyone. ]

That's the thing about friendship, Asuka. [ He therefore slowly says. ] That strength-- It's there when you want it. You don't have to take it.

[ God knows that Fabian would feel kind of pathetic too if anyone suggested he was completely dependent on his friends for his strength.

Even if it's sort of true in his case. ]

But if a day ever comes when you might need it, then you will know it's there.

[ Asuka hates that his logic makes sense. She still wants to slap the hand away - it's that urge to be on her own because to not be on her own means she's weak and paradoxically then doesn't deserve to have anyone close to her. Self-sabotage. A contradiction. She takes a breath in through her nose and then out, her shoulders tight, her expression flat. ]

Maybe.

[ She feels momentarily overwhelmed by emotion and she raises a hand to swipe at her eyes. ]

I shouldn't need any of that, though. I shouldn't want it. It's all - I should be on my own.

[ She hates herself so much. ]

[ .. oh, Asuka.

It's the way she's moving that hand up to her eyes that really gets him. After all - a part of Fabian understands it. Maybe not the full feeling she's dealing with, but.. something similar to it, something he grew up with. The sense that you should be fine on your own, even when you know you're not.

So rather than directly replying to those words, he speaks up with: ]

If you promise to not murder me over it-- Can I give you a hug?

[ You look like you could use one, Asuka.

And Fabian likes hugs. ]

[ There's tension in her shoulders. And she doesn't know what to say. She wants to say "no", she wants to say "yes". She desperately wants comfort and equally wants to shove it all down into a spot somewhere and not think about it. She swallows. ]

...if you really want. But if you tell anyone... I - I'll kill you.

[ It's such a teenage thing to say.

And maybe she does want him to hug her. He's got a dazzling smile, he gets it, and - well. Boys are a mixed bag to her still, but he's a decent sort of boy. ]

[ There's a touch of surprise in his eyes when she agrees - even in that typical Asuka sort of way, but really, people have threatened Fabian over so much more than just a hug that the last part of it doesn't even faze him. No, he just finds himself feeling kind of glad that she's allowing this. He wasn't too sure she would, even though Asuka really looks like she could use that hug to him.

So Fabian carefully sets aside the robot baby for a moment so he can move over a little closer to Asuka. He wraps his arms around her in a way that isn't too careful - he'd feel like that would just make it way too awkward - but not too tight either. It seems very natural, but it's a great hug all the same, like maybe Fabian is just a naturally good hugger. ]

You are doing a great job, Asuka. [ He says, while still in the hug. ] I just wanted to tell you that.

[ Because-- god, does Fabian ever often wish someone would just hug him and tell him that. Especially with how inadequate he often feels. Maybe it's nice for her too. ]

[ Asuka looks... stiff as he approaches. Uncomfortable. She's not used to this. She doesn't do touchy-feely crap, she doesn't hug, she doesn't ask for hugs, she doesn't try to get close to people, so what exactly is she supposed to be doing here? She regards him with a pinched expression (there's the feeling she might start to cry, somehow) and then he finally steps in.

She trembles for a moment as his arms wrap around her and then she slowly, slowly lifts her arms to return it, burying her face against his shoulder. She hates this. She wants it. There's a muted sniffle and she tries not to think about it. How long has it been since someone actually hugged her? Since she sought one out? Far, far too long, really, but she's stubbornly been trying to do this all on her own. ]

I don't need you to tell me that.

[ It's a very weak objection. Especially with the way her fingers curl and grip against his shirt and the way her shoulders start to tremble. ]

[ The way she reacts threatens to break his heart. Not the words - no, he doesn't think they mean much, it's just Asuka repeating what she's been saying all this time. It's her shield against the world, the way she tries to protect herself.

Instead it's the body language. It's the way she actually clings to him, the way she seems to shake in his grasp like she's about to cry. It only makes Fabian hold her even tighter. One arm remains wrapped around her, another one moving up so his hand can very lightly ruffle her hair a little.

(It's weird - for all his chasing after girls, this doesn't instill that kind of dumb teenage boy reaction in him. It's much more like the way he'd hold Adaine, or Kristen, or Fig-- Maybe he already started seeing Asuka as another important friend without even realizing it until now.) ]

I'm giving you blanket permission to absolutely destroy my ass if I ever let you down. [ Not like it'd be the first time a girl would wreck Fabian.. ] But until then-- Just call me whenever you need it.

[ Whatever 'it' is, Fabian thinks. A hug? Sure. Protection? Also fine, if Asuka could ever admit to needing it. ]

I'll be there.

[ Asuka refuses to cry, even if a part of her really feels like she wants to. Instead she just holds onto him and allows herself to be held for a little while. She feels a little sick about it, but also strangely comforted (not that strange). It's a mix of emotions that she's still processing. It's better than the alternative, though. ]

You - I absolutely will. So you better not let me down. Got it?

[ She lifts a hand to give him a weak punch in the chest. ]

I'll make you regret it.

[ Fabian lets out an 'oof' - but judging by the tone it comes with, it's definitely meant in a playful sort of way. That punch definitely was not enough at all to hurt him, with her doing it in such a weak way. ]

Don't worry. I know better than to make you angry. You are the most terrifying girl I know.

[ .. maybe not really true, considering how scary even his own half-sister can be, but-- you know, it's the spirit that counts. ]

Really? That's kinda pathetic.

[ Asuka is half-joking.

She doesn't think she's that scary, honestly. Not when she's just a fourteen-year-old without a robot. ]

[ He laughs, seemingly not too fazed by it - or picking up that it's at least partially a joke. ]

What, should I instead be getting excited about you threatening to kick my ass? [ .. well, it's not like he hasn't done that before..

But usually at least with girls a little closer to his own age, okay!! ]

Don't be a perv-!

[ She whacks him in the chest again. Is she blushing? ]

Ouch--!

[ It's not like it really hurts. Especially not for a guy like Fabian, who's used to way worse on the regular. Maybe he's just instinctively making that sound.. or he's just making dramatic. ]

Come on, I was just joking, Asuka! Aren't we friends now? We can joke around!

I've got a maiden's heart, you know!

[ Huff, huff-

But the fact she's saying that is probably a good sign, honestly. ]

Although I guess if anyone here is a masochist, it would be you.

M-Me?! [ He's still mostly being dramatic.

.. mostly. There's a part of Fabian that can't help but immediately balk at that accusation, getting all defense. He does know that they're mostly messing around here, but that doesn't stop him from dramatically exclaiming-- ]

How am I a masochist?!

You're the one talking about getting excited about me kicking your ass!

[ This... this feels normal. She can handle this. ]

How is that not masochism, huh?

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