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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[ Strangely enough -- or perhaps not so strangely -- Robin gets to approach the table without getting snapped at, although his demand to see the chemtech arm still draws a rude curl of her lip. ]

What? No. Absolutely not.

Gaia studies Barnabas while he speaks. Oh, she keeps up and that's easy enough to do at their current pace, but she's also seeing a few things about his manner that she'd not really bothered to acknowledge before. What he has to say is certainly worth acknowledging; as a theory and earlier assumptions. But does it mean he's right about the 'worth' of those brought here?

"Not everyone can be kings and rulers. Or heroes and villains. Not that the latter is much more than a measure of what side you're on for the most part."

There's exceptions to every rule, but Gaia seems to be aware that a 'hero' is often the narrative of history or perspective.

"And a world worthy to be saved shouldn't be judged by the merits or faults of the privileged. There's certainly a lot more 'ordinary people' than chosen." Gaia then huffs. "Of course that depends on whether this all is some trial to preserve as much as possible, or if that's just a lie."

Jury's certainly out on that one.

There's a visible flinch. Barnabas earns a bit of a glower, but then it's probably the type of word he used to describe it. Abducted.

"Believe me, I was perfectly content to go about my business on my world, dealing with my world's problems. There was certainly enough. And more than a few things I'm needed for. But here I am." Her voice is waspish and in a tone of displeasure.

"Abducted as you said. And dealing with someone trying to shape me into someone I'm not. Again. I suppose I should be grateful I'm no longer turning into a dragon. Which I don't recommend."

Yeah?

[Are they getting somewhere? Hank isn’t sure but goddamn does his face light up like an old ass Christmas tree.]

I mean, I know you will, I just — it’s nice to hear you say it, Connor.

I’ll protect you and Sumo. And Robert. And Ithaca. And Catdog.

[And those are Connor’s co-conspirators!]

"Oh, uh. Thank you."

He really didn't... expect a rose? Or anything, really? But it is very kind of this person to give him one, and it is very pretty. If/when he gets his magic working again properly, maybe he'll even extend its lifespan so it doesn't wilt too fast. "That's very nice of you."

"Who taught you?" Quentin asks, because that's. Actually something he'd like to know? He knows there are magic schools other than Brakebills out there, though he suspects he's about to be told about a teaching method not found on Earth.

"Wait, were you asking me for dating advice?"

He takes the flowers in his arms, even though he's now somehow even more confused. Not bothered by this, exactly, thanks to the whole chemical happiness thing, but still. "You want to give flowers to someone else but you don't know if that's a good idea?"

Because Quentin is absolutely not the person to ask for that.

Just layin’ it all out there, huh?

[Who are these people?? And especially —]

Catdog?

Well.

Due to the fact that Quentin still has social anxiety somewhere hidden under that heavily-medicated exterior, he pauses, not - not wanting to make this guy unhappy. This wasn't supposed to be about making anyone unhappy. "I just, um. I thought you might like this?" he says, hopefully holding out the Valentine that gave him a contact high.

They’re my friends. From— [Connor stops himself, but the cat is out of the bag.]

He never gave his name and he acts like both a cat and a dog.

This is honestly probably one of the nicest, most benign interactions he's had so far from this whole Valentine's mess, and the smile on his face is probably at its most genuine. It's a nice carnation, and he takes it with care. "Thanks. I'd, um, I'd give you one back, but I don't have one?"

If only he had his magic working correctly, or he could solve that easily. "I'm Quentin."

It is his turn to watch her as she speaks, of the little tells she might give in how she holds herself. What she might give away in terms of thoughts that are left unspoken. Though, she does not seem to hold back when it comes to speaking her mind. This is useful, of course, but he cannot be too careful in assuming that she lets every thought babble forth from her lips like a waterfall.

Her answers are not unexpected, but her stance on the dichotomy of kings and commoners is...interesting. Few, he has found, truly hold that perspective, most adhering greatly to the cultural rule of nobility and its flawed structures. At least, the warped version of hierarchy adapted by man, at any rate.

What is unexpected, ultimately, is the idea that she was being turned into a dragon? That's. Well, that's odd. Not the oddest thing, after all he clashed with Bahamut on the battlefield, but it does make him wonder what sort of world had she been to previously. One that would turn its captives into wyrms...odd.

"Forced transformations are not something I have encountered in my time here, yet that does not mean it cannot occur." As he speaks, it is still in that same soft and measured tone. "Though they would like as not prove temporary, as much done here tends to be."

As they make their way onto the bridge, the air noticeably feels a bit...tense, as if there is actual tension in the atmosphere, but it is made clear as to why within a few moments: the sky rumbles with thunder over head, and the waters below are aggressive and choppy. Bashing against the ragged rocks beneath them in an unending fury.

Barnabas does not seem bothered in the slightest, neither is Grani.

"As for the matter of those who have been brought here—I did not speak of kings nor rulers. I spoke of those with the ability to handle the travails ahead of us. There are many kings who are not worthy of their crowns, and those born to common stock which would serve better on the throne."

He lets a couple steps punctuate his sentence before he continues, his gaze casting off towards the shadowy keep ahead of them.

"I was not born a king, lest you mistake me. I earned my crown."

Edited 2025-02-22 04:36 (UTC)

[He places his hands on his hips.]

Of course it does, but humans have always been the majority population in a place, because they are simply like that.

Well, damn. And here I thought you’d found an actual catdog.

[If Solmara is anything like Etraya, then maybe they have weird shit like that, too.]

Guess I’ll have to keep my eye out for this... “Catdog.”

[Especially since these others presumably can’t be trusted.]

Are they... good to you, though? They treat you right? Don’t hurt you, do they?

I've heard that term applied to the title, yes. I will not refute it.

But as I said, I'll know for sure once I grow further into myself and what I am.

Alright, I'll take your word for it.

"Bah, it's nothing-- these things are so common, after all. Now, if I had managed to scavenge one with its roots still intact, the thanks would have been more warranted."

Then again, would he have given a flower with roots to someone else? Possibly not unless he really liked them, and if he had extras.

He’s drunk, he’s in a good mood despite how he’s walking, he likes the guy- There’s no danger here, it’s bound to come out.

“No. No one would dare to attempt to shackle me. …I’ve got a reputation. I’m more of a shackle breaker. You’d know if they ever caught me. The facial brand isn’t subtle. But they’d die trying- they always did.”

Cid laughs at his next question. Why did he live with Barnabas?

“I’m working on him. He lost his mind a while back, but I think I can find it for him. In his defense- or well, make it softens it. He’s disappointed in everyone. Sort of his thing.”

Cid stumbles for a moment, snagging Vander’s belt to right himself, then acting like it never happened.

Robert takes very good care of me. He's been searching for repair parts since I arrived. I work in the med-clinic as his assistant in Solmara. Ithaqua and I don't know each other as well, but he's never been cruel to me. And I take care of Catdog when I can. I give him my rations and help him find food since I don't need any.

[He likes his friends. He's glad they were chosen together for this mission, even though it will get so much harder if he has to do it on his own.]

He wanted me to call him Daddy, [ Harold says with perfectly blunt frankness, tone dry in the extreme. ]

Otherwise I don't know enough to judge. [ Finding him personally annoying is not enough to condemn him as a person, Harold is well aware, especially if he's going around saving people he knows. ] So you're from the same place, but met here?

[ Since Shaw showed up he's become all too familiar with timeline discrepancies, but Maria's making it sound like they didn't know each other before. ]

[ John had taken his admission and upped the ante tremendously. All the things Harold has never told anyone before are personal to him, but the fact about him and Grace drinking coffee is totally innocuous; the emotional weight to it is light and detached, something that touches him but doesn't have a stranglehold. Not at all like what John admits. It reminds him, strangely and poignantly, of erasing the Machine's memories and then regretting it immediately. Only understanding the action as a true loss after he'd already taken it.

There's a moment of silence as Harold thinks how over to respond, taken aback, but then he recovers. ] I didn't give Grace a choice either, [ he notes, somber. He doesn't consider himself any better than John in this regard.

It seems necessary to lighten things now but he struggles with how to do it. ]

... I could try coffee again sometime, if you'd like. Perhaps with you I can form a new association.

[ Is that too much? Too bold, too presumptive? Harold can't think of another way to tell John how much he has a place here, how Harold would never listen to him if he told him not to wait anyway, how he knows he has a tracker on his glasses and even if he ever walks away he's okay with John finding him. That does seem like far too much to say. But is even this too far? ]

...well, when he puts it like that (are you asking for dating advice?), maybe Gorgug is starting to see that it might be a little odd. Or embarrassing. Actually, it feels embarrassing now, and he shuffles on the spot, more aware of what he's doing and saying. Especially to a stranger! Not that he thought he knew the guy five second ago, but...

"Y-yeah? Usually I can ask my friends, but-" He can't ask Riz. That would be too weird, right? "I'm kinda stuck here, aware from them? I-- I guess you could say I'm, that I'm desperate."

Truly desperate.

[Hank blinks. A little surprised with how much Connor has to say, but more than happy to hear it.]

Robert sounds like a good guy. Glad you’ve found a place over there. And Ithaqua... hope he’s the same. That’s real nice of you to take care of Catdog.

[Which still feels absurd to say — Catdog — but it’s endearing coming from Connor.]

I’m glad, Connor. This is the sort of thing I’ve been wanting for you. Never thought I’d get to see you so...

[Hank takes a step back. Really taking Connor in. His injuries, sure, but everything else about him too. His realness — as if he might disappear if Hank looks away.

And, a little voice at the back of his mind says, that might still fuckin’ happen.]

Anyway — friends are important. [Even if they are, effectively, trying to kill Hank. But maybe they can be reasoned with...? If Connor considers them friendly, then maybe there’s hope.

But Connor is Hank’s priority. Him and keeping Etraya safe.

Hank tries to hide his thoughts with a smile.]

Look at you. Mr. Popular. You’ve got more friends than I do.

[Which doesn’t surprise him in the least.]

[Hank’s words earn another soft smile. Connor likes the friends he has and would never want to hurt them.

Like Hank, his family.]

I hope you can meet them one day.

Oh, I’m sure we’ll run into each other eventually. [Because they’re trying to get him killed, first of all — but secondly, because they’re important to Connor.]

And maybe someday you can meet... y’know. [Hank doesn’t have many friends, and the person he might be closest to here isn’t a friend at all. Not someone he wants Connor getting mixed up with, anyway.] Can meet some of the people here.

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FEBRUARY MINGLE

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Connor is so cute omg

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he isssss

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