etrayalogs | 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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hob was only waiting until the moment felt right, and he can't think of a more fitting time than this. His breath catches in his throat as Loki leans closer, entranced by the god's stunning blue eyes.

The kiss is soft and pleasant, and the little sound Loki makes has Hob smile, which he hopes isn't ruining it, but he can't help it. He's just so... happy.

His hand behind Loki lifts off the couch and gently rests on his shoulder, bringing him in a little closer. A first kiss during a Valentine's date? Hob did say he liked sappy and romantic.

Loki tells himself that he has only been waiting for the right moment, but truthfully, he’s also been nervous about it. He hasn’t kissed anyone in… a very long time. Hasn’t really wanted to until now and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. It turns out, he’s worried for nothing because Hob kisses him back. Despite the slight conversation just prior, there had still been a tidbit of doubt in Loki’s head as he had leaned in.

If anything, the feel of Hob smiling into the kiss only makes it better. Loki finds himself returning the smile, even as he keeps his lips pressed to Hob’s. After a moment, he lets out a soft laugh, his breath puffing out against Hob’s lips.

This is Loki’s first trip into sappy and romantic, but he has to admit, it is lovely. To him, their first kiss is perfect and he wouldn’t change a second of it.

The little laugh makes Hob laugh softly, as well. As their lips part, he keeps his face close, eyes opening to regard the handsome god. Is he dreaming? If it didn't feel so real, Hob would doubt that it was.

Hob doesn't really know what to say. He feels so happy, there are no words. All he can do is tilt his face for another kiss. This time, the hand that isn't on Loki's shoulder rests against the man's chest. Maybe he'll feel Loki's heartbeat quicken beneath his hand.

As for the movie, Hob has completely lost track of what part it's on or how much time has passed. He'd much rather spend the evening doing this.

In Loki’s previous encounters of this sort, when he was younger, kissing hadn’t always been much of a thing for him. In theory, he liked it, or wanted to, but most of the people he’s been with he hadn’t felt all that close to. Now, he thinks, that might be why it hadn’t affected him. Because this is very much affecting him and he likes Hob more than anyone else he’s ever kissed before. It’s like a light has turned on in his head and he finally understands what the fuss is about.

And Hob is so very much worth the fuss.

Loki looks back at Hob, eyes sparkling with happiness as he takes in the lovely visage before him. Why had they waited so long? It seems silly now as Loki recognizes that he’s wanted to do this almost from the jump. It all feels so inevitable, in the best possible way. He only hopes he didn’t waste too much time.

With a sigh, he presses back in for their second of hopefully countless kisses, the feel of Hob’s hand on his chest warm and comforting against the racing of his heart. His eyes flutter shut as he brings his own hands to rest on Hob’s waist as if he needs something to hold onto, if only just to prove to himself that this is real.

There's no way of knowing how much time they'll have in this world, but Hob has enjoyed every moment they've spent together. Sure, maybe he would have easily been tempted into doing this sooner, but there's something to be said about taking the time to get to know Loki. It only made Hob more certain of how strongly he felt for the man.

The second kiss is as wonderful as the first, and Hob knows every kiss that follows will be the same if not better. As the kiss parts, Hob opens his eyes and smiles slowly, looking quite happy in a comfortable sort of way. He feels completely at ease in Loki's company.

"Well, I liked that." He says with a soft laugh and a blush.

They say patience is a virtue, but typically it isn’t one that Loki possesses. It’s not even one he agreed was a virtue, at least not until now. As he continues to kiss perhaps the most wonderful person he’s ever had the luck to meet, he thinks maybe there is something to waiting, even if he still worries some about time lost. It’s a bit of a battle in his mind, waiting for the right time or making the most of things and going for it sooner.

Though he will come to realize it doesn’t matter. They got there in the end and he wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

When the kiss breaks and Hob speaks, Loki can’t help but match his laugh, his own cheeks heating in response. He reaches up to gently cup Hob’s cheek and looks at him fondly. “I am so very glad to hear that because I would very much like to do more of that.”

Hob tilts his face into the touch, savoring the warmth of Loki's hand on his cheek. He thinks Loki has such beautiful hands, too. Like the way he uses them to make magic out of thin air. They're just one of the many amazing things about him.

"Good. You can do that any time you want." Hob isn't about to mind if he does.

”Be careful what you wish for.” Loki grins as he continues to take in Hob’s lovely face. He really doesn’t know how he got so lucky, but he plans on cherishing what they have for as long as he’s allowed. “I feel I should warn you that I can be quite clingy and I am not adverse to public displays of affection.”

He figures it’s only fair to warn him of that because Loki is about ready to yell it from the rooftops.

Hob blushes at the warning and laughs a little.

"Thanks for the warning. I don't think that will bother me." Why would he ever object to Loki clinging to him? Right now, Hob doesn't want to be anywhere but by Loki's side.

Somehow that blush really just makes Hob even more handsome. Loki reaches out and delicately touches Hob’s face as if he can’t believe it.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear that. And trust that I will put that to the test.” He smiles before leaning in to place another soft kiss to his mouth.

FEBRUARY MINGLE

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