etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-01-02 03:19 pm

TDM 006



⏵ arrival ⏴

Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology.

I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway.

An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates.

I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you.


For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained.


⏵ disrobing ⏴


The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves.

The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out.

"Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name."


The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.”

(First Letter of Given Name) (Last Letter of Given Name)
A Controlling N Helpful A Melodies N Light
B Glimmering O Floating B Discretion O Mind-Reading
C Wet P Handsome C Growth P Climbing
D Gruesome Q Gullible D Grasping Q Jumping
E Observant R Ratty E Flying R Hurting
F Powerful S Adhesive F Reading S Guiding
G Psychedelic T Sweltering G Dancing T Bug-Speaking
H Swift U Cheerful H Shouting U Exploding
I Voracious V Anxious I Extracting V Complaining
J Soft W Likeable J Punishing W Dividing
K Keen X Ruthless K Creeping X Slapping
L Fabulous Y Dramatic L Walking Y Charming
M Fair Z Demonic M Listening Z Combustion


As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind.

Don your robes and enter the library.


⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴


For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl.

Image Image Image
Pro • Hardworking
• Gives correct directions 75% of time
• Won’t run away from you
• Very affectionate
• Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet.
• Gives correct directions 90% of the time
Con • Must feed bookworms • Will run away if too close to a cat • Does not care for you
• Sleepy
• Will run ahead
• Gets distracted by rats



⏵ the task at hand ⏴


With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light.

Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections.

Wings of the Library
A General Works B Music
C Philosophy, Religion D Fine Arts
E History, Auxiliary Sciences F Language and Literature
G Magic, General H Science
J Geography, Anthopology K Medicine
M Agriculture N Hobbies, Recreation
P Social Science Q Military
R Political Science S Practical Arts
T Law W People
X Education Y Spiders


Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things.

Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search.

You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here?

⏵ NOTES ⏴


Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this!

This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th.

Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment!

FULL NAVIGATION

bootyshortsforoldmen: (‘cause the antagonist)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 01:26 am (UTC)(link)

I can get it myself. You don’t gotta cook, and you don’t gotta shop for me.

[Friends do each other favors, sure. But this is different. Hank doesn’t want Connor to feel like he has to do these things.]

Maybe all I want to eat right now is bread. You ever think about that?

instabilitatem: (035)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor is about to turn to leave when Hank's response stops him. He shifts back toward Hank.]

I will make a peanut butter sandwich for you, lieutenant.

[Connor remembers that eye roll and he presses his lips into a slight frown.]

Hank.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I’m fighting what comes)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 01:34 am (UTC)(link)

Why are you so insistent on feeding me? I’m not even hungry, Connor.

[Hank’s stomach growls. But it’s just reacting to the thought of food!!]

Good thing you remembered my name. Finally.

instabilitatem: (041)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
I know your name, lieu- Hank. I was unsure if I had permission to do so. [When Hank referred to him as an 'android' instead of his name.]

You have not eaten anything since I arrived. Unless you are employing fasting, your stomach is likely empty.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I’ve a heart of gold)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 01:41 am (UTC)(link)

And why wouldn’t you have the permission to do so? Thought we went through all this.

[Not that Hank wouldn’t do so again, just to — hopefully — get his feelings across. Hank’s just wondering where he went wrong.]

Some things are more important than food.

instabilitatem: (049)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor is quiet for a moment before confessing quietly,] You referred to me as an 'android,' Hank.

[And then to combat any oncoming deviancy, Connor makes his way back into the kitchen and pulls out the bread and peanut butter.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I’m not gonna lie and tell you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 02:18 am (UTC)(link)

I wasn’t... Fuck.

[Of course it was his stupid goddamn mouth that got them into this. Of course.]

I’m sorry. I’m just — what the hell do I say?

[Would Connor even believe what he said? How much of their progress has he fucked up?

Does he even believe Hank is sorry?]

I didn’t mean it like that. And I shouldn't have said it, but I didn’t... didn’t mean it like that, Connor.

instabilitatem: (111)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor busies his systems with making a peanut butter sandwich with expediency.]

You are allowed to call my by whatever term you like. I am an android.

[But the way Hank had said it. Connor is replaying it in his mind palace.]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (you left before I woke up)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 02:34 am (UTC)(link)

Sure, you’re an android. But you’re not... just an android.

[Which feels so inadequate, but Hank doesn’t know what to say that would help.]

Connor, you —

[Hank looks at the ground, brow furrowed, as he thinks about what to say. Wondering if this will even make sense. If Connor will even believe.

Looking back up at Connor's face now.]

You mean everything to me.

instabilitatem: (001)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor finishes the sandwich as Hank talks. He puts the bread and peanut butter back away in the cabinets and turns to Hank with the sandwich in hand.

He blinks at Hank’s words and then holds out the sandwich.

Hank’s right: Connor does ‘t believe him. He does file away the words, though.
]

I suggest you eat. Your blood sugar may be low.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (my church offers no absolutes)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 02:52 am (UTC)(link)

I’ll eat your damn sandwich. [Hank grabs it. Takes a bite.] Thank you, Connor.

[He probably wouldn’t have eaten till he got Connor settled, otherwise.]

Are you gonna answer my questions now?

shadowsincryo: (pic#15080363)

[personal profile] shadowsincryo 2025-02-03 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
[He looks at him. He grabs the shelf and pale threads of blue magic spill from him. His head is bowed as he focuses on the shape he wants to craft. Cryo fills the air.] Here we go.

[A staircase made of ice snaps into place. He forms a sword of ice in one hand and swings to the right, warming up his wrist. The plant hisses, leaves rattling as it senses the change in temperature.] I’ll give you a signal before I reach the roots.
instabilitatem: (002)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor nods, but there is some shuttering in his expression.]

I will answer every question you ask.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (I’m not gonna lie and tell you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 03:15 am (UTC)(link)

[Hank gets that he’s losing him — and it would probably be better to just shut up before he makes it worse.

But...]

What did it make you think? When I called you an android. What did it make you feel, Connor?

[Because Hank knows he can feel, no matter how much he might deny it.

Hank has seen him happy. Scared. Connor wants things.]

theroadwarrior: (pic#17666462)

dylan baby i'm sorry, i'm sorry this bitch is so rotten ✋

[personal profile] theroadwarrior 2025-02-03 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Aren't what? 'Eddie'?

His scowl persists, and the energy of a tightly wound string fixing to snap persists for a moment or two — then Max relaxes a fraction of a fraction. Just some kid, and even if he's not about to discredit the potential danger of a teenager, he at least can recognize this one isn't built the same way a lot of kids he's met in the desert are. Apologies are for soft people. Soft people don't last long. (The bracelet on his wrist says so; belonged to a softer child who ended up roadkill in his rearview mirror; buried her next to her mom and moved along.)

("Max, where were you? Where are you, Max?")

Phantoms. He hates kids, because kids just die and make everyone else miserable in their absence. At least this one isn't in any mortal danger — so he has no qualms being a smeg in return. With a huff he walks, and if Dylan doesn't step aside he'll end up shoved into again. The stranger with a familiar (albeit sun-stained) face limps forward like a man on a mission.

... If the mission were to never engage in a conversation more than one minute, anyway.]


Don't care. Move.
instabilitatem: (049)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor's programming quickly provides that he did not feel anything, but Connor's knows different. He pauses, taking time to balance his programming and the honesty of his answer.]

It made me feel small. It made me think I would never be more than a 'fucking android' to you.

[Which is the most painful truth.]
theroadwarrior: (pic#10081531)

[personal profile] theroadwarrior 2025-02-03 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Mm, always watching. Like calls to like. Max has been aware of some nagging sensation of eyes drifting, watching. Inspecting goods, is usually what it means. What goods there are depends on the person doing the looking: weapons, clothes, body parts, food. Always something worth taking off a man still on his own two feet. Buzzards are the least wasteful. Never want to end up in their domain, if you like to keep your skin on.

Max's stare shifts to fall on Carver, when the man speaks to him. Infinitely suspicious, hand lingering toward a gun in a holster. Max is at the very least a man who can be read easily. He is not a viper in the grass, doesn't have charisma and a smooth smile that brings people in. He doesn't seek to harm by acting a part. He simply is. Maybe, once again, like calls to like. Carver has a similar energy: the mutual understanding that killing in the name of survival is what sustains life, in most corners.]


What's it matter?
hyphanated: (no funds.....)

[personal profile] hyphanated 2025-02-03 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Hmm...he's not sure what "general works" entails, but he does know what spiders are, and they generally aren't a threat to mushrooms, so...]

Spiders.

[If these shelves are in anything resembling alphabetical order, maybe "spiders" will be near "spheres" or "shards" or something??]
bootyshortsforoldmen: (you were alone)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 03:32 am (UTC)(link)

[Hank grimaces around a bite of sandwich. He has to set it down on the counter because goddamn.]

You’re not just an android to me, Connor. I’ve told you to do what makes you happy, haven’t I? Because I give a fuck.

And we’re family — [Hank sighs] — even when I go and mess shit up. Family doesn’t stop just because I’m an idiot.

fortitudosalutis: (089)

[personal profile] fortitudosalutis 2025-02-03 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's rare in these parts to come across someone, anyone, who meets Carver's staring with an equally calculating mask. And this one's armed. Carver tilts his head one way, then the other. Considering the distance between them and how fast he'd need to move to close it. How quick the other man can draw that pistol and get a shot off. Which one of them would strike first, and best. You have to think about these things.

Something goes calm in his soul. This, Carver knows. He understands the shape of it perfectly. Welcomes it, even.

He grins. ]


I asked.

[ This one's wearing a knee brace. That's an opening, Carver knows, but he'll have to get close for it. ]
instabilitatem: (084)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor considers Hank's words, files away a few of them, but focuses on the mention of family.]

Should I disregard any mentions of the word 'android'?
theroadwarrior: (pic#17666385)

[personal profile] theroadwarrior 2025-02-03 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[He clucks his tongue against the back teeth, looking unimpressed with the answer. Fine, is it? Then again, he is also too aware that he is unrepentantly just as stubborn when it comes to admitting injury. You lick wounds in private, and you don't utter a word, because it's just as soon that someone jabs their fingers into your torn skin until you crumple. Then they take.

The question is, should be hassle her? Or should he allow her the dignity of being a fool who would rather bleed all over themself than admit they may need treatment? Ultimately, he doesn't want to endure a punch to the face right now. Her firsts are bony. Hurts.]


Hmm. Guess I am too, then.
bootyshortsforoldmen: (the last time I saw you)

[personal profile] bootyshortsforoldmen 2025-02-03 03:51 am (UTC)(link)

No, you don’t gotta disregard the word “android.” Just — know I didn’t mean it like that. What I said.

[Hank steps toward Connor. Wishes he felt like he could hug him, now. Even though it would be selfish. Just for Hank.

He turns toward the cupboard to grab a glass. Stepping past Connor to fill it with water from the sink.]

instabilitatem: (099)

[personal profile] instabilitatem 2025-02-03 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Connor feels both respected but also confused. Shouldn't recognize all examples of the word? Shouldn't he acknowledge it when it's used. As Hank walks past him to fill a glass with water, Connor still isn't sure how he should feel.

He turns and moves out of the kitchen, to give Hank as much space as he wants and needs.
]

I do not understand.
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (121)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2025-02-03 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
[It feels like this small exchange they've already had has already given him even more questions that don't currently have answers. How a seemingly nice little girl like her is getting in confinement is a whole ass sentence he didn't think he'd ever think of in his life.

Maybe "confinement" was like getting grounded, or being made to stand in a corner.

Right. That's got to be it.]


Yes, well, [he says, skipping the whole I didn't have to break myself out this time thing, for the moment at least,] you could say I'm sort of on an adventure, too, so I probably got here the same way you did. But you know, you should never go adventuring alone, and, I need a partner. Mind telling me your name? Maybe we can team up for this.