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⏴

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Whoa, hey there --

[ He doesn't grab it back from her, but he doesn't let the case go, either. Dick smiles at her over the case, but his grip stays firm. He's got a lot of other houses to visit! Other people need milk, Laura! ]

My order form says your house gets two bottles, not the whole case. Been eating a lot of cereal for dinner, or something?

[He's being surprisingly agreeable for an old man. Or maybe the ones she knows are just too stubborn and too good at pushing her buttons...

She doesn't take much interest in the kitchen itself beyond the mission board, giving it no more than a cursory glance over before idly crossing her arms, shifting her shoulder in a half-shrug.]

A few in general by now, but not one like this. [There was something reminiscent of it before Etraya, but since it's not likely to be relevant, she leaves it be. Except for one thing-] This kind of setup just screams brainwashing, don't you think? Why else would everyone in the city just go along with it like it's normal?

[With Natsuno's words adding more fuel to her confidence (and her ego), she manages to focus on the biking (much as she kind of wants to focus on him, too). And it's starting to pay off...she's still a little unsteady, and not very fast, but she's managing to keep a semi-straight path without falling over, all thanks to Natsuno's help. She picks up a bit of speed--cycling above a walking pace now, watching the sidewalk pavement pass by under the front wheel.]

Hey, I think I'm starting to--huh?

[And that's when she glances back to comment to Natsuno and he's not right there. The bike wobbles as she accidentally turns the handlebars, and she quickly scrapes her shoes along the ground to stop it.]

W--when did you let go? I didn't even notice!

Whoa! [ Aerith, a magic user herself, suspects that maybe some degree of this incredible display is a supernatural ability. Then again, maybe not: there are so many different kinds of people in the city with such varied talents, so...it's possible Nuvia is just naturally strong and dexterous.

Whatever the case, Aerith watches, enraptured, and applauds. ]

I sure am! Whenever you're ready...!

[ Tifa could probably pull off something like this. It isn't one of Aerith's strengths, but she does find herself wishing she could do a cool flip... ]

You've gotta show me how you do that. It looks amazing!

Yeah, like...they'd never seen a house before, when they build the first one. And after that, they thought "well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and made all the rest the same. [ There's a dismayed shake of the head at the idea. ] Boring!

[ Maybe it's easy for her to say, coming from Elmyra's picturesque house in its little corner of Sector 8, but...still! ]

Don't think you're the only one who feels that way. [ Conspiratorially, she lowers her voice, lifting a hand to shield one side of her face. ] Pretty sure some people are gonna break that curfew to see what's going on. I'm thinking I'm gonna join them.

[ If not in an actual group, than in spirit, leaving the house after dark to poke around. ]

If you're doing the same, be careful, okay? We don't know what's going on yet, and it could be something...pretty bad.

[And because she's learning to sometimes keep her mouth shut, Rita for once has the sense to not say who really dragged him into the fight. She'd rather they go and find some dry clothes for Natsuno, anyway.

--Which is just as well, because oh, great, it's a busybody with nothing better to do. And at Krouse's suggestion, Rita immediately shoots him a suspicious look.]

You? [...Not that there's much time for argument, even if she doesn't trust Krouse not to blame everything on them. She has no desire to hear a stupid lecture or get into a useless argument with the teacher, so she gives a sharp sigh, and turns to take off with Natsuno.] Fine--but you know what'll happen if you even think of trying anything funny!

Mm, I suppose you could. [ Aerith's smile widens, pleased at the response to her joke. It's refreshing, since she's used to someone else who doesn't appreciate her humor at all (outwardly, at least). ]

Could you do both? [ Already, she's turned to start pouring over the display of seeds, scanning for any familiar labels. ] Why not, right? Sure, they've each got their nuance, but there's a lot of overlap. You know: if you're out there watering one, you can do the other. And pollinators - assuming the bugs are all normal, here - would be happy to have some variety, and it'd help everything grow...

[ There may or may not be some ongoing muttering about the benefits of having both flowers and veggies in a garden as she sinks down into a squat, brows furrowed as she scours the offerings. ]

Hmm. Maybe it's just plans you can eat, here, and we can get some flower seeds at another place?

...Yeah. No, I know. [ There's unquestioningly a lot going on, and maybe this is just how Fabian handles it. Still, she can't help but watch him with ongoing suspicion, expression one of unmasked concern. ] But if you need someone to lean on to help get through everything, you just have to say so.

[ That's hard for some people to do, of course. (Looking at you, Cloud.)

Aerith doesn't push forward, but neither does she retreat. She remains a hovering presence on the threshold, hands curling into determined fists. ]

Can we just talk a bit? Doesn't have to be inside, if you'd rather sit here on the stoop or something. [ Which she'll encourage by doing herself, patting the stone next to her as she looks over her shoulder at him. ] Just for a minute, 'kay?

Izuku and Aerith have that in common, then: something perhaps made more apparent by the fact that they're both trying to break the rules right now.

(And if she hears him refuting her using her "mom" card, she doesn't comment.)

"Oof." Her brows shoot up in response to that, and though it's not...a huge surprise, it's not exactly great, either. "Well, that seems about right, from what we've run into before back in our neck of the woods. Just makes you wonder, though...why?"

Why the violence, the strictness? What are they hiding?

"I don't have super strength, but I've got magic." At this, she indicates the silver rod at her back. "I'm not trying to slow you down or anything, though, so no pressure to travel together. Long as you promise me you'll be safe, okay?"

I guess they do.

[ She coasts to a halt. She doesn't want to talk about this here and now, but- ]

...well, not the universe. But Earth is fucked up...

[ She purses her lips. ]

...and it wasn't my fault.

So hunting whatever's making those noises down is our best bet. I doubt that'd be easy.

Apologize for insulting my mother and I'll consider it.

[ Her tone is flat. ]

I mean, I'm not gonna stick inside just because they want me to.

[ Asuka apparently feels pretty strongly about that. She settles her hands on her hips and frowns. Just a little - then smirks. ]

If you find anything, you gotta tell me, OK? Because I'm not gonna live in the dark the whole time I'm here.

[ She leans in to respond. Whether this is a brave face she's putting on or her actual feeling is up in the air. ]

What's the worst thing it could be?

World's still fucked. But it ain't like I've ever seen it unfucked. You know?

( he says it nonchalantly, but it's anything but. he and ari had this conversation before, on the space station. one he doesn't feel like repeating now, especially given ari had a point. a shitty one.

there's still a few more doors to open, so sam shoves another piece of cheese into his mouth and throws a door open. there's a bed, a dresser, a mirror. . . normal, uninteresting bedroom shit. )

It'd feel weird if it wasn't.

Kate's a self-admitted superhero, goes by Hawkeye. It's not a secret, so you might as well be aware of who you're staying with. There's a guy that goes by Hawkeye around somewhere. He's not as friendly, but he knows her so he might show up.

[ Might as well be as honest as they were with their information. ]

Sam's taller than you, and he's very into fighting evil demonic clowns and posing with an unlit cigarette. Haven't talked to him as much as Kate.

[ Only some months? Perhaps he's still getting used to them, but he seems to operate them expertly. ]

An invention like that could change the world.

[ Hob says that like he already thinks Otto is a hero. ]

[ Oh, superheroes. That actually gets Gorgug interest, which means 'guy who poses with an unlit cigarette' is excused for now for being weird. ]

Okay, that's-- okay. [ It has to be okay, obviously. ] I should have some friends around here too, to come over sometime, I guess. But I-- I'm okay doing whatever makes this easier for everyone. I mean, I know we're not a real family...? I don't know what's a good plan, here.

[ They just got here, or whatever, and this apparent family system is already bizarre for how he'll be living with complete strangers, and how seriously should Gorgug be taking this? Would it be dumb and weird to be taking it seriously at all? Are they going to ignore it and do their own thing?

He's pretty sure he would be feeling this even if it was happening back on Etraya. ]

This is one checklist item Cloud doesn't actually mind doing. Really, most of the tasks he's had to do with Izuku haven't been half bad, aside from the shopping. (And he guesses the ones with Yuffie have been okay, too.)

So he's sitting comfortably in the passenger seat as the kid gets into the car and immediately finds something to worry about. Which seems to be Izuku's default state, as far as Cloud has been able to tell.

"Huh. Nah, doubt it, but it's no big deal. 'Specially since you've never driven it the other way anyway, you got nothing to unlearn." He reaches over and gently but firmly tries to take the notebook from Izuku.

You've got friends here, too?

[ Tim hums at this. Between the people Kate knows, Tim knows, and whoever Gorgug knows, this house could be quite the hub. He doesn't even know if Sam or Sokka know anyone yet. ]

Families are kind of what you make them. Anyway, we should probably put together a guest list. People that no one should be surprised if they find in the house at all hours. I'm not saying that because I want to sell the whole - whatever surname "household" this would be - but I only want to make sure no one pisses off Damian.

[ His eyes flit away from her for a moment as he takes a deep drag off his cigarette, eyelashes shading down as he examines a crack in the sidewalk a few feet to her left. He wonders if it's a real crack, or something put in to add to the set dressing. ]

It's good to have a sense of perspective.

[ He supposes it is. She's still more forgiving than he would be, but he can't say that his approach would work for her. He can't say it even seems to work for him. ]

But hey. We're not suffering today, are we?

[ By the time he meets her eyes again, his smile is easy. He tucks his free hand into a pocket and takes a half-step back, rocking on his heel. ]

I don't think I got around to asking you what your plans for the rest of your day are.

[He clicks his tongue in irritation, and if she's going to head over to the checkout desk then he'll follow.]

I'm not gonna put down anyone who wants to go to school, but I almost want to take those consequences instead.

[He's very serious about how much he dislikes school! It's always been a rough experience for him, and he isn't expecting things to go any better here.]

I don't see why not.

[ He's more than happy to get back to the here and now, smile warming as he flicks through the menu to get to the character selection screen. ]

This is a club event. If it wasn't, would they let me hold it in here? [ He doesn't actually know. ] You might have to play more than one round for it to really be considered involved. Just to be safe.

[ A shameless tongue-in-cheek ploy to lure Gorgug into his gaming trap? Yes. ]

Do you like getting up close and personal or ranged attacks?

Yeah, everyone I know saddled with one of them have been assigned one -- but some people here seem pretty naturalized? If you're really into this whole thing, I can see signing up for one.

[ He can't see doing it personally, but the white picket fence reality isn't appealing to him, let alone this white picket fence simulation; even if it wasn't real, he'd be revolting against it.

He trails Natsuno as they head upstairs, warily eyeing the pictures of the happy couple on the wall. It gives him the creeps. As they crack open the door to the nursery, he peers inside into the darkened room, the walls already painted a baby blue with decals of trucks and cars along the walls. A little gender normative, maybe, but that tracks. ]

Guess they're getting a boy. You have any of them in your house? One of those android babies, I mean?

I look forward to it.

[A smile quirks at Loki’s lips as he keeps looking at Hob and tells himself he’s acting completely normally for someone who has made a new friend. The feeling of an almost nervous and excited feeling in his stomach is perfectly normal.

His smile turns to a frown when they are suddenly interrupted by a rather stern looking woman. He almost says something but then notices the look on Hob’s face just before he speaks. Ah yes, he’s more than willing and capable of playing along.]

Oh yes, I trust fully that you will. You’ve already been so helpful I just know I will get exactly what I came for.

Past curfew. Couldn't leave if I wanted to.

[ Did he time it specifically for that reason? Yes. Yes, he did. And now he sees that it was the wisest choice he could've made; he doesn't think that without that looming threat that Fabian would actually kick him out, but he'd probably do his damnedest at getting rid of him, god knows why. They're best friends. That means you take the good with the bad, and you lend a hand when your best friend happens to be two years older and therefore assigned a goddamn baby.

But this goes well beyond just Fabian being overwhelmed by household chores. Things have been weird for a while now, and right now? It looks like he's just spinning out. He can recognize that look in Fabian's eyes, the barely withheld panic in them, the fear that he's been caught out lacking, doing what he wasn't supposed to be doing, that he's out of control. And Riz can identify that for the simple reason that he knows that's precisely how he looked when Fabian walked into him and his storm of notes.

He walks over to Fabian and, too short to properly clasp his shoulder as he'd like to, settles for placing one hand on his upper arm instead, a little frown tugging at the side of his mouth. He's not great at this emotional stuff. He knows he's not. But he's got two great parents to think back to, and he's spent entirely too long in Jawbone and Ragh's aggressively positive presence. He can do this. ]

Dude, it's -- you know it's okay if you're not fine, right? [ Sure, Fabian had gone through a whole awakening over Sophomore Year. But that didn't fix things. Fabian's deep panic at the idea of not being a pirate like his father, of not being a good leader, the hero, of how he looks and how he acts -- everyone knows it. You don't just lose that overnight. Sometimes it just turns into something else. ] You're not, like, letting any of us down, or anything like that. Just let me help.

[ He looks around. It's a disaster zone. Fabian's a disaster zone. ]

Maybe after some food, and a change of clothes? I can keep an eye on the... baby.

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Page 34 of 67

MISSION 004 (part 1)

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oop didn't catch that, all good!

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sorry for the delay!

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