etrayalogs | FEBRUARY MINGLE

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FEBRUARY MINGLE

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: February 14th - March
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, a mini mission, and some new city features!
NOTES\WARNINGS:

⏵ arrival ⏴
Welcome to Etraya!

Arrival goes as expected - characters awaken on hospital beds and are offered an explanation of their situation: that they have arrived in the city of Etraya, and they are their world's only hope. They are welcome to wander the hospital if they would like to - the upper floors are mostly empty, full of pristine hallways and numerous rooms filled with supplies, cots, and things one would expect from a relatively average 21st-century hospital.

In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, cake slices, as well as tea and coffee to accompany them - or hot chocolate, for those who are opposed to the other offerings.

Outside the hospital, the last remnants of snow are melting in the sunlight as the weather begins to warm up. It's still chilly enough one might want to put on a coat, but not so cold a jacket is necessary for wandering around without freezing off one's fingers.

We hope you enjoy your stay.

⏵ heroes return ⏴

As the Quantum Rail train glides to a halt, returning passengers step out onto familiar ground - the train station, right where they had initially begun their mission. When exiting the station, their earpieces vibrate, indicating the automatic download of a detailed map which highlights key locations, transit paths, and notable landmarks. As Aurora promised, she had been working on a few renovations around Etraya! A sleek trolley system now winds through Etraya, following clearly marked pathways through the city bubble to make travel across the city smoother. However, the trolley only moves one way, eternally following the loop Aurora has set it on. And because of this, it takes six hours to complete it's loop all the way around. Don't miss your stop!

Pets and animals have been returned to their usual preferred areas, some awaiting the arrival of their owners, and others keeping to themselves in the forested areas throughout Etraya.

Beyond the small upgrades, things seem relatively unchanged - until one familiar sign catches the eye. One marked by four vertical lines, methodically crossed out one by one: the final slash has now been drawn through. The tally is complete. What it indicates has yet to be made clear, but it has to mean something, right? No one would go through the effort of making an ominous-sounding sign without following through.

⏵ love in the air ⏴

This Valentines Day, Aurora and the companion bots have opted to try something a little different: they have scattered mystery valentines across the city. Hidden within mailboxes, tucked into cafe menus, slipped under doors, on the outside of high windows for those wall-crawlers to spot. There are countless of these little slips of papers, strewn throughout the city. And within each valentine, is a challenge or gesture to complete. Please feel free to make these up yourselves as long as they fit in with the theme!

Some examples include:

Deliver a flower to a stranger.
Write a heartfelt poem for someone.
Share a box of chocolates!
Confess your feelings for another.
Play matchmaker for two people - this can be platonic, or romantic!
Gift a friend with a stuffed animal.
Give five different people a genuine compliment.

While not mandatory, completing five tasks will earn an individual an additional ten points to use towards anything they would like!

Each little Valentine is signed "Your Secret Admirer. ♡", and some of them may even be addressed to specific individuals. Don't be surprised, Eddie, if you see one or two that are specifically addressed to you lurking around your collection of chicken friends!

And while most of these are harmless, some of the valentines cards come with effects for those who come into contact with the paper. Perhaps they thought it was a piece of garbage, or were just kicking it out of the way rather than intending on taking part. It doesn't matter! They get to join in on the fun, too.

Heart Eyes - your pupils literally turn into hearts for a few hours, making it hard to focus on anything other than things (or people) you find attractive.
Love-Struck Stammer - You can only speak in poetic compliments or romantic declarations, regardless of whom you're speaking to.
Chocolate Bliss - Everything feels good. Simple. Easy. As if there's nothing in the world to concern yourself with. You feel happy, without any concerns or worry.
Rose-Tinted Vision - everything looks soft and romantic, as if you're in a romance novel. You know the ones.
Magnetic Attraction - regardless of what you had been doing, you suddenly find yourself unable to leave the side of the person closest to you. Had you been eating chocolates while walking down the street? Well, have fun getting stuck to the guy who'd been out for a jog!
Serenade Syndrome - you find it impossible to resist the urge to sing your words, turning all conversations into love ballads.
Heartstrings - A thread appears, connecting you to someone close by who you share many similarities too. Perhaps you had never met this person before, but the threads tied around your pinky fingers that refuse to let go until you allow yourself to open up to them clearly means you should be a little more familiar with them.

Love is in the air—or maybe just a bit of well-intended chaos! 💕

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Welcome back from the mission, and welcome to Etraya for our newcomers! We've tried to keep this log simple for an easy introduction, as well as some downtime for our mission-goers who worked hard to solve the Quantum Rail mystery.

There is something else going on, but. . . well, no one seems to know what! The computer that had been on the lower floor of the hospital is now missing, and Aurora may seem a little flustered as she flits around Etraya, in search of something.

For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

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Your observational skills are as keen as always.

( there's the sarcasm. damian considers leaving it there, but - )

I returned home, for two years.

[Slow down there, Slaanesh. ]

What you are suggesting is heresy. [Plus, he's not even sure he...could?]

( Brows furrow again and he's left standing there. Confused. )

When?

( Because he would have noticed that — keeps track of Damian as much as his son keeps track of him. )

I do not 'worry'. [That requires time and a capacity to feel some sort of fear and he's...not good with either. He sounds mildly affronted like you've offered an insult.]

It has already been four hours, though. [That's too long between missions. LFG.] If they did not need us expediently, why pull us from suspended animation?

[What poor Gadriel could probably use here is a gentle, patient ear. Someone who can listen to him and sympathize with his plight, but also prepare him for the reality of living in a world where most everyone around him is some sort of heretic or another.

Unfortunately, who he has right now is Shaw, and she just rolls her eyes.]

You know - little unlucky twist of fate, and I could have grown up in a place run by guys like you. Do you behead heretics?

[Sadly, no, he does not recognize goblins. However, small green things, he DOES recognize. He's spent the last decade fighting them.

[Gadriel jumps back, drawing his combat knife in a defensive crouch. Is he afraid of the itty bitty green guy? ~~yes~~ no. of course not. ]

I do not need your help, Ork.

He likes vodka. I got him to drink with me before.

[ It was... valuable time. Getting Carver to relax a bit, sharing just little bits here and there. Time well spent. ]

I run no place. I merely serve the Emperor. As my duty requires. [It does happen to include purging heretics though.]

There are many methods of expurgating heresy. Decapitation is one option. [So, yes? But also so many possbilities! ]

What is wrong with me? [Because she makes that sound like a bad thing. He's a nice boy. He's an Ultramarine. ]

Right after we exited the train.

( it's as accurate as damian can give; it wasn't all that long after that he'd suddenly found himself gone and then returned. damian hadn't strayed from his usual locations within Etraya at that point: he'd gone to the cave, gotten into a spat with drake, took some time to cool off and now he's - here. )

( He takes a moment for himself — mulls over that bit of information provided to him. This has happened before with Dick and the beard, but. He hadn't expected it to happen to Damian. Maybe he should have and yet, he didn't.

Another second or two of mulling over it all, he makes his way down the pile he's currently on, bits of junk rolling alongside him, until they hit the ground and so, too, do Bruce's feet. Bringing a hand up, fingers pinch the top of his scarf there on the bridge of his nose, pulling it down around his neck as he makes his way over the teen. Standing in front of him, he looks him over — blue eyes sweeping their gaze for any telltale signs of anything that might have happened to him before they're landing back on Damian's face.

Gently then, he reaches out, hand resting on his shoulder. )

Are you ok?

[Vander, she gets it completely. after the hell that was that mission and everything else that has followed, she's not entirely in the mood for this either. but she's grateful for Vander doing this for her. the smile on her face is grateful and knowing that he doesn't have to do this but he will because he is that kind of person.

she really does appreciate him for it.

putting on her own happy smile, as if there was nothing wrong at all, she walks along with him.]

Have you ever given a confession? I can't say I ever have. More lore of mine for you have. Free, too.

I. . .

( he's not pushing away bruce's hand. not leaning into it, either, so it's less approval and more relenting. are you okay is a loaded question - it wouldn't have mattered if it was now or two years ago; damian's life has always been hectic, being okay was never in the cards for him. being alive, yes. content for a moment, possible. but okay?

his mouth twists into an unpleasant scowl, considering his words carefully. there's no recent trauma to him physically that would clear up damian's circumstances; the burns have begun healing, and all obvious bruising has always been covered by his clothing. )

No. I am tired and angry and there is nothing that can be done to resolve it.

( He's older now. He can see it with being this close to him and he... doesn't know how to entirely feel about that, nor does he know how to respond to the way Damian simply stands there at his touch, or the words to leave him with such a scowl on his face. Two years... a lot can happen in two years.

Gently, he drops his hand away, almost reluctant to, but. He does. Taking a moment for himself, he looks past him. Swallows. Then lets himself look back down to Damian there. )

What happened?

Mmm, the man's got good taste. Did it work? Did he relax?

[He was a massive proponent of 'fake it until you make it' when it came to engaging with people, especially those that appeared to need a boost. He thrived on being helpful but also being willing to give so that others might be able to take a break and feel comfortable with him. So, he'd be gamely, and it seemed to him that she responded well to that.

He mulled over the question then smirked, offering her a wink.] Have I made a confession before? Pfft, what kind of man do you take me for? I've done all manner of confessions, most of them ridiculous and probably not very good. [He tapped his own temple.] Always sounds better in my head, am I right?

[Then he shrugged.] Most confessions are supposed to about honesty. If you need me to be dramatic, I can like... uh, scoop you up in my arms or get on my knees or perform some feat of strength? Do you have people doing that where you're from?

The commander was.

[ His voice softens ever so slightly. He loved Pope like a father, no matter the cost. He thinks he loves Leah even more. ]

My sister still is.

[ Bad things always seem to happen in a sequence.

You see, he had been slinking in the back, a few new cartons of cigars under his arm — a stiff breeze kicking up to blow detritus behind him, something hitting him in the back. ]

What — [ He hissed, reaching around with a free hand to grasp at the paper at his back, turning slightly to do so, before he grabbed it, and balled it up. He didn't even bother to look at it, before he was tossing it to the side, a look of derision at the damnable thing.

He'd seen people acting odd, of course he has. It's hard to miss the people singing, or the way he got followed around a few times, or the way that people would look at one another with heart eyes. Thank goodness that wasn't directed at him, or he may have had to make a whole new enemy. As it is, he had been about to be about his business when Vander — of course it was Vander — came lumbering down the rest of the stairs, making a beeline for him.

His hand down, he doesn't notice what is on his finger yet, his single eye narrowed, a curl of his lip. ]

Yes, me. Most of the time you seem to want to find me and cause problems. Is this somehow different?

[ The nasty, sarcastic lilt to his voice, his free hand slides down, toward his back again. Aiming for the knife he keeps tucked away.

He doesn't leave his quarters without it now. ]

Gaia nods. Context had been evident, but it's interesting to have her opinion confirmed. As for Charlie and Kamurkia?

"I know. And it was kind of him to take the time that he did. I don't blame him."

It was very reasonable to expect some time would be needed at the end of the day. Though it would have been nice to have the peace of mind that the dragons did indeed return to the afterlife. They didn't just... vanish because some other force called the two away.

Well, wondering what Charlie's answer would have been won't do them any good here right now. As Sephiroth reaches out a hand, Gaia offers him a smile. It's relief and gladness. And it's understanding. But without making a big deal of it, she simply extends her hand just a touch further and glasps hers around his. There's a small squeeze.

Like this it seems to say.

"About the same amount of time's passed then. Come on, let's go eat and catch up."

Into the diner she will lead and back to her chair. Her free hand is up and signaling the companion bots that they'll be needing to order more.

Clearly.

Edited 2025-02-17 20:32 (UTC)

[she raises her eyebrows at him.] You come on strong, huh? [but she's not complaining and that's obvious from her next words.] I guess I'll have to remember somebody so charming is amongst us, hm? [she smiles and puts a hand on her hip.]

Since you're so charming then you can start us off. Confess to me. [she's really curious what he'll say.] I bet you can show me how it's done.

Heart Eyes

[ He finds the Valentine inside the paper cup he'd planned to use for his usual one coffee a week. I only have eyes for you, Valentine it says. Maybe, 20 years ago, Bruce would have felt compelled to give it to someone. Right now, however, he's only compelled to toss the thing into the garbage, along with the cup it came in. By the time he gets back to the coffee maker, selected a new cup and begin pouring his coffee, the shape of his pupils had changed.

He doesn't even realize he's reached the top of the cup and the coffee's spilling over until it burns his hand. He grimaces, but otherwise doesn't make a sound. He's just gonna...leave that mess and get himself cleaned up.

Outside of the Kwik Trip, Bruce has to stop a minute and think about what was he was going to do. His damp, still slightly warm sleeve reminds him. Right. He was going home. ]

Excuse me, [ Said to whoever might be standing nearby ] Where's the apartment building? [ It's something he feels like he should know, but he's not able to focus enough to recall it. ]

Tolerance is in the air

Here.

[ There's no preamble. No pleasantries. There's just an old man holding out a silk rose for the person close by. Take it. ]

Wild card

Or bring your own prompt. Hit me up on tapsters if you want to plot.

[Jason's not entirely surprised since he doesn't really trust Aurora with much but he's still curious]

Why?

[Connor is just passing by, looking as horrific as ever, when an older gentleman holds out a rose to him.]

For me?

I can't neatly summarize two years of our lives.

( jon's absence, grayson's injury, pennyworth's death, ra's death, his. . . feud, with slade. what bruce had done to todd, damian's betrayal to his family. his multiple deaths. the incident with his mother. and emma's - )

The multiverse was at risk due to the actions of another Bruce Wayne. Multiples. We resolved it, and Wonder Woman was able to piece our universe back together, which was then put at risk by Father's pet project. We resolved it, again. Grayson grew a beard.

( obviously. )

Then where did you come from?

( and we're going back to the plan of breaking into connor's skull. clearly he'll get more information out of that than this conversation. )

Something like that, yes. [Connor has yet to convince anyone of the stairs lie but perhaps he's finally done it.]

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FEBRUARY MINGLE

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oh no i'm so sorry

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Bruce Wayne | Batman Beyond

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Tolerance!

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