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etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
etrayamods) wrote in etrayamemes2025-03-28 09:16 am
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TDM 007
content warnings for this TDM include: violence, potential death, body horror, physical transformation, loss of senses, loss of autonomy  ⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. New characters are introduced to the AI, then informed of a mission that they are required to participate in before they can return to their home base of Etraya. A world called Aphaia is falling apart, and while there is nothing they can do to resolve this broken world, they can participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Their mission is simple: step through the glowing purple portal that Aurora creates once they've had time to listen to her, and survive until a similar portal reopens in front of them, allowing them to return to Etraya. The Gamerunner's Stratagem is something they have been working on building for quite some time. She informs all newcomers that they will not be present on this world that long: their exit will appear to them exactly when it's meant to, allowing them to meet the others who have been recruited to save their worlds. She provides each and every arrival with an earpiece, allowing them to communicate with the other Etrayans. Aurora suggests taking a bag full of supplies along with them, which she will fill with a few generic items as well as any specific items they may need: synthetic blood for vampires, protein bars for those who may burn through calories faster, medication for anyone who requires it.  ⏵ aphaia ⏴ Aphaia is a neon-lit, chaotic planet. Cameras are everywhere, every action and inaction is judged by the 'audience'. Towering holograms advertise upcoming events while flashing leader boards track the most "popular" players. Contestants are thrown into challenges, many of which are games of skill, survival, and deception all to keep the viewers entertained. Not participating is an option! However, avoiding playing along and not putting on a show will quickly cause participants' score to go down, and scores that reach zero? Well. Unfortunately, there are only so many resources left on Aphaia. Their wildlife has died off, their planet is falling apart, and most others in this galaxy were either destroyed from the inside out, or warring planets trying to gain control of remaining resources destroyed them to avoid others getting involved. Their natural resources are depleted, and only those who manage to keep their scores up are given the luxury of having any supplies. As soon as one steps foot on Aphaia, as soon as they breathe, they intake nanotechnology which tracks their oxygen consumption, their food, everything they do or need. As soon as their scores reach zero? They disappear. There one moment, and completely gone the next. Their communicators go offline, and while everything they were carrying will be left behind, no one will be able to find them. They are simply--gone, erased from existence. This is a death and counts as a death as outlined in the game FAQ! Please keep this in mind. "Points" that go towards their total score will be assigned to contestants from the moment they drop down on planet. This will be visible using the HUD on their earpiece, and will be randomized at the beginning. For the sake of the TDM, we ask that no one be assigned Paragon initially, but you're free to use other ranks! The possible rankings are: 100: PARAGON 99-80: LUMINARY 79-70: CHAMPION 69-50: CONTENDER 49-30: UNDERLING 30-0: SHADE Ranks may change daily, or even hourly depending on the kind of situation one has found themselves in. Are they having a very public break up in which it comes out that they wronged their ex? They may go from a Champion to a Shade before they can even blink. Did they save a defenseless reporter from the big bad villain of the week? They may find themselves quickly elevated up to Luminary and given all the benefits that comes with being upper class. The world is their oyster, they only need to figure out how they'd like to utilize it! Aphaia is broken up into four districts. The Colosseum is a dynamic battle arena where combatants fight for entertainment, with shifting environments controlled by the audience. Victories earn points, while losses depend on performance. The Symposium is a lavish social hub for top contestants, where alliances and betrayals are made under the audience’s watchful eye. The Agora is the public center of Aphaia, where contestants engage with the audience through polls, interviews, and challenges to maintain popularity. It also houses the contestants in high-rise apartments. And Backalleys provide hidden spaces with intentional blind spots for secret dealings, though the Gamerunner is always aware of what happens there.  ⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴ Something special is happening in the Colosseum. Lights flicker as the arena shifts, rearranging itself into a grand, glittering ballroom - if a ballroom had stadium seating, paparazzi drones, and an ever-changing floor plan designed to disorient those within it. Silver chandeliers pulse with artificial starlight, their glow refracted through the crystalline floors. Music swells, but it sounds - unnatural. It thrums through your veins, setting your blood alight with the urge to dance. Why is the ballroom designed as if intentionally put together to throw off one's balance? Well, it's time for the Panopticon Prom, of course! The Panopticon Prom isn't just an adventure in dancing and impressing your most recent crush. It's a test of endurance, cunning, grace, and charm. The floor beneath your feet moves as if it has a mind of it's own, shifting to the beat like a living creature all of it's own. It tilts, undulates, even vanishing in sections to keep dancers on edge. After all, it's difficult to keep up one's pace if they're falling through a hole in the floor to the foam pit below. Drones zip through the air, catching every stumble, every misstep, and every attempt to throw off others on the dance floor. This is a competition, after all; and what fun is a dance battle without having the freedom to thwart someone else on their road to victory? The rules are simple:
 ⏵ casino royale ⏴ Out in the Agora, another popular quarterly event is being set up! The Casino Royale has been destroyed countless times, but it seems as if the Gamerunner just can't let it go - every time it gets knocked down, it gets rebuilt. There is one rule. One must take a turn at the revolving wheel just inside the door as their entry fee, and whatever the wheel lands on, they must maintain until they exit the building for the night. Sometimes, this is easier: an effect they have no control over and cannot undo even if they wanted to. Sometimes, this is more difficult: an assigned task they must complete. Failure to abide by the wheel once means receiving a penalty. Twice? Certain death if caught by any employee. The wheel's effects are as follows:
The casino is alive with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the steady whirl of the roulette wheels. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet-lined tables, where fortunes are made and lost with the flick of a wrist. But something feels. . . off. The dealers never blink. The cards never seem random. And the house always wins - always. Maybe it's just paranoia, or maybe this casino is something more than just a den of chance. Tonight, you're not here just to play; you're here on a mission. You've arrived dressed to kill, blending into the sea of bodies filling the casino's floors. But you're not here to win points or boost your social standing - you're here to win intel. Somewhere in this casino is a single flash drive containing information on just how Aphaia maintains their system. The only problem? The House knows someone is coming for it. After all, they're well-aware of the game: whoever retrieves the flash drive will obtain information on how to flip the script, to change the rules of the game to fit their wants and needs, rather than following the current Gamerunner. After all, this is the Gamerunner's Stratagem that Aurora has sent them out on! Many apply for 'employment' within the Casino Royale in hopes of getting insider information on where the flash drive is hidden and what it looks like. However, it seems that even the employees have no clue where it has been hidden. This is an extension of our Aphaia Mission! We have included enough information in this post that catching up to current in game logs isn't necessary to play with it, but you are welcome to use any part of the Aphaia setting in your prompts as you'd like. Current players are also welcome to bring the events from this TDM into their in-game threads. This mission can happen outside of time as needed! Incoming characters will find themselves introduced to Aphaia as they arrive. Current characters may find Aurora calling on them to visit Aphaia after the current mission for the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game! Please direct all questions relating to this log to our mod queries comment! All other questions can be directed to our FAQ. |
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the hedgehog takes a deep breath, using that same arm to wrap around her waist to complete the gesture. it's not a hug he is used to with someone else there in the way, but it's one if maria wished it, he would get used to. besides, her promise of "yet" gives him some pause, but he understands where her sentiment comes from.
now that he thinks about it.
maria...
that person has one too. he doesn't know what type of maria, but are there really other marias? the thought runs like wildfire in his mind, when he's not trying to kill the other, there's unanswered questions. there's also how maria's love is offered to him so easily, is it just a trait to maria in general, are all shadow's deserving?
he thinks about that before parting from her, and finally sitting down on the ground across from them both. ]
Hmph.
[ that doesn't mean he has to play nice, actually, he doesn't know how he should react to knowing he lifted her spirits by a simple dance. part of him wants to scold them both since maria's health doesn't allow for activities that expend her energy.
the look on his face seems like he's weighing the pros and cons, but he'll meet her gaze, a bit stern, but she should know he doesn't approve of things where she could get hurt. ]
Shelter...
[ he mutters to himself, with how this planet runs, he doubts it would be the perfect place.
there's also another issue. ]
This doesn't appear to be the place that we're staying, that woman only sent us here on an errand.
[ he's found many people curious and looking for the same thing, at that point it doesn't feel like a mission with how some hobble around stupid and blind. it must be whoever finds it first just does. ]
I'm searching to make my time here shorter. If only I had...
[ where is his chaos emerald so he can leave this annoying place, space and time bends at his will so it should be enough. ]
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The other moves to sit before them. They were more willing to communicate, start getting somewhere. So he chances to observe them while they figure out how to proced.]
To participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem. That was all she said, and then an exit would eventually show itself. [When and how is not clarified. He tilts his head as the other starts to say something about shortening their time here. Unsure of what they're referring to, he just thinks on their words and how openly vague Aurora was about their mission.] There could be multiple ways to get an exit to appear. [Their options would broaden if true, if they had an idea of how to meet those requirements. Only two obvious ones he could think of are becoming a Paragon, or get that flash drive he's been hearing about.]
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The hug as it was, did not last for long, and Maria sagged back on her heels and leaned into the other Shadow's warmth when her Shadow sat before them on the pavement. It was thankfully quiet despite the pounding music from within the colosseum. There were still beings wandering about and keeping their distance as they traversed the square at the base of the stairs or went in and out of the colosseum itself. Of course there were the ever present camera drones keeping tabs on everything.
Oh, Shadow was giving her the look after she spoke of the other Shadow dancing with her. She recognized it as the one he always had when he was chiding her for overexerting herself. Since it had been a slow dance, she didn't get any adverse effects and looked forward for another opportunity at a later time. Due to the serious nature of the conversation, Maria refrained from doing her usual playful responses such as winking or sticking out her tongue. She simply looked down at her lap.
She was quiet as she worked on centering herself as she held onto the other Shadow's hand. She resisted the urge to wrap an arm around him like before, not wanting him to be uncomfortable. She was grateful that he was still at her side through all this. The pair conversed, speaking of shelter, but also about the mission that sent them all here and how an exit could present itself.]
Aurora had told me that we wouldn't be here long. [She confirmed.] I don't know anything of this Gamerunner's Stratagem. But...as for shelter, I found out there were apartments in the Agora for competitors. I...I think what kind of room and amenities you get depends on the amount of points.
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maria is here, she's alive somehow, again. is this because of aurora or some other being that he doesn't understand? normally he'd have an understanding of what keeps her here, but it's all a mystery, so even he fears that if he blinks one too many times she'll be gone. he does blink once, then twice, but she's still there.
he hopes no one noticed such an odd gesture, it's just unbelievable to him.
and then there's ... shadow. robot? organic lifeform? is he also imbued with alien dna or is he separate from that. he has a maria too which is also... weird, but with how active he is and willing to do these certain things without a care in the world... why is that? how can he have so much freedom when he has to predict the girl's next move always.
not only that, why hasn't he suggested leaving this world with a chaos emerald? is he choosing to save his embarrassment because he too doesn't have one with him? that could he the case, considering shadow himself hates to appear weak or limited. there's many questions yet to get those answers he would have to speak aloud, then again, there's something else that stands out to him in this conversation. ]
Competitors? I'd rather you not be one at all.
[ even if she's racked up points, he doesn't find the idea appealing of her needing to continue to gain them.
there's only so much reunion they can offer to the audience until they'll want to see them break one another's hearts. ]
I was searching for the flash drive in order to gain an advantage, but my attempt was cut short.
[ despite sounding annoyed, his eyes are kept on maria and not looking over to the other hedgehog to blame him for his insolence as a liability. ]
Through my search, I've lost points but this world runs backwards. Hmph, as much as they desire fights in the arena, they frown upon them outside.
[ that's when he picks up the box that he had, holding it to maria for her to take. ]
I don't have enough points to shelter you.
[ he's disappointed in himself, don't worry. ]
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His ears might have twitched at the mention of the flashdrive. He really wanted to tell them that was what he was doing too, until someone interrupted his search cause they thought he was them, and needed to clean up their damn mess. He shakes his head, but it's not important right now. The mistaken identity thing is going to be a continuous problem. He has a feeling that's not going to change anytime soon.]
I have enough. [He will speak when it came to the points. He might even have more than enough, having hardly used any. They haven't dipped as hard as the others and just been steadily increasing. He stares at the box being offered to Maria once more. Something they used their points on presumably.
...More than likely, they've been using whatever points they had just for her now.] I'll get her a place. Then...are you expecting me to stay with her the whole time? [So now the question comes up. Are they willing to take turns?]
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[She met Shadow's eyes as he spoke. This 'flash drive' must be something to do with the Gamerunner's Stratagem she heard mentioned. Before she could ask, her Shadow picked up and held out the box that he had placed near her. She had known it was there, but with everything going on and the conversation she hadn't fully acknowledged it. A combination of the other Shadow's comforting warmth and the civil conversation did wonders with helping her calm. Even some color returned to her pale cheeks as she looked down at the box.]
Oh? What's this? [She reached out to take the box, bringing it to her lap. Though she did reluctantly let go of the other Shadow's hand so she could slowly shift to sit directly on the ground and stretch her numbed legs. She had been sitting on them too long. She rubbed at her knees with a hand. She still kept close to the warm body next to her though. Still craving contact. The other Shadow spoke up about having enough points to help get shelter.]
I probably do too. [Maria added, though she didn't know the exact number of what she had. She looked from the Shadow next to her, to her Shadow before them. She knew it was futile to say that they shouldn't worry about her so much. But it was in her Shadow's nature, and most likely the other's too. While they talked, she proceeded to open the box in her lap to see what was inside.]
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all mapped and planned out, they just need to follow it. he extends one hand out, placing it over top of the box so that maria's unable to open it any further. ]
It's not a matter of what I'm expecting, it's that you will. Only for now, [ he turns to look at maria knowing that his words aren't the best, not anything someone wants to hear considering... ] I will return us home, Maria. I just need more time.
[ this can be saved until they get there, it'd work better there than here where there's no opportunity to use it. the fact that the other hedgehog can acquire a room, or both of them can is enough to move on.
it's this desire to not be kept in one place out in the open where drones hover the vicinity that he's ready to take leave. even as one propels nearby them, scanning the area, and for a brief moment looking their direction that shadow glares at the feed that's on them.
it doesn't take much for the video camera to carry on. ]
I'm going back to the casino to try again.
[ that's as much as he's willing to give that makes sense.
should he go back with them, probably, maybe, but there's this nagging feeling as to why he's even suggesting that this other... him even go in the first place, because his skillset is too sloppy.
a novice.
he stares a little longer at the other for some time too long before closing his eyes. trusting maria's intuition on her saying he's not inferior is the only reason he's willing to allow this to pass. ]
If there are any complaints, I don't want to hear them.
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Return home...that is the correct decision. But would it also mean the girl sitting beside him, isn't her time already up? But staying in this dangerous place, having to do what Aurora asks of her, that isn't the right call either, is it? He feels conflicted, even when there should be none. Their choice shouldn't matter to him, they are together, and he is different. Yet he has these feelings, the small bit of connection he's already made with this Maria.
He leans against her without thinking, while her hands were occupied examining the box. This shouldn't have happened. They never should have ran into each other. It'll only make the parting hurt more. Having to see Maria off, again. His expression must have looked troubled when he felt a set of eyes on him.
He looks up to the other who had been staring at him. His expression went from puzzled to glaring. What is it now? He keeps eye contact with them, for not doing so is just asking to get ridicule again. They didn't really answer his question, but they might as well have, about keeping his complaints to himself.] Just don't keep her waiting.
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Her Shadow's promise to return her home pulled a small smile on her face, though it faded as she looked down at her lap. She wasn't certain if he was referring to Etraya (a place she only knew the name of) or her own universe. She didn't want to think about what was waiting for her back on the Ark. Not right now. She clenched chilled fingers until her knuckles were white.]
Just be careful. [Maria said in soft concern to her Shadow.] Fight to defend yourself if you must, but please only to incapacitate. Don't take a life un-necessarily. [The dead aliens in the square when they first reunited came to mind, making her shiver. She could feel the other Shadow leaning into her and she was grateful for that, keeping herself tucked under his arm as she leaned a little back. She heard him say to Shadow to not keep her waiting.
She glanced to the side at him, wondering if she heard right that he'd stay with her while her Shadow went to the Casino to look for this flash drive.]
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shadow walks off, dropping his hands down to his side as he thinks that this would be simpler with a chaos emerald. ]
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Still...it's disheartening that things are like this between them. Not enough to push aside all the insulting things they said to him, about him. He still pissed about that. Closing his eyes for a moment, pushing those thoughts about the other aside, he gives Maria his full attention now.]
Are you well enough to get up and walk? [He glances at the box that is still unopen. Should he ask to hold onto it for her...?]
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She heard the long tired sigh beside her. When he broke the silence, she turned her head to look at him with a small nod.] I think I'll be okay now. [She felt improved from before. But she was still achy and tired both physically and emotionally. It's been a rough day. She studied Shadow for a long moment. She had been going to get up, but had to get this out first.]
I'm really sorry that you had to be put through all that. [She sighed heavily.] I know you wanted to leave.
But in the end, your warmth and support meant so much to me. [His physical presence supporting her kept her grounded. Even now, she wasn't sure if he'd linger once she got to a place to rest.] Are you okay? [She added softly in true concern. That had been a rough landing on the pavement when Shadow threw him down.]
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I'm fine. [He moves to stand first, proving his point. He is not really fine, but it's nothing too distracting from what he needs to be doing right now. He extends a hand to her, for when she's ready to get up herself.] Do you want me to hold the box?
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I'm glad. It bothered me a lot, how he treated you. [Made especially clear when she kept speaking up in his defense. Or when she placed herself between him and her Shadow. At his offer and extended hand, she held out the box for him to take so she could get up. She could always take it back after.
She moved slowly, and was achy and stiff. But she managed to push herself to her feet without incident. She self consciously brushed at her dirtied dress. Some was from the pavement they were sitting on. But there were dark splatters on the blue fabric of her dress on the back and up a sleeve. Some smears were on her front.] I'm a little sore from sitting on the pavement, but other than that I'm okay. [She reassured with a small smile.]
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He takes the box, putting it under his arm as he observes Maria, present in case she needed additional support. The stains on her dress...with everything else that was going on, he wasn't looking that thoroughly at them. Gaze soften with concern. What has she already gone through?
He offers his free hand to her to hold, a serious look returning to his face. While he's still with her, he'll make sure nothing else happens to her.]
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[She might not have known this Shadow like his other. But she just intuitively knew that he didn't. She could almost hear her Shadow's voice in her mind 'Do you only trust him because he has my face?' It made her heart hurt and it glittered quietly in her eyes.
She didn't say anything though, and merely reached out to take Shadow's hand when he offered it, giving it a squeeze appreciatively. His presence during all this meant the world to her.]
I'm just looking forward to finding somewhere comfortable and quiet to clean up and rest.
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Tell me if we need to stop at any point. [Where those apartments are, it's going to quite the walk as they'll be closer to where the Symposium is. He's quiet most of the time, lost in his thoughts. He keeps holding onto her hand, a memory bubbling beneath. How letting her go meant...he might not hear Maria right away, if she's trying to talk to him.]
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[Maria kept a hold of his hand, while Shadow led her down the colosseum steps and through the square. She was mostly quiet as they walked at an easy pace, but it was a comfortable silence. Her legs weren't as shaky as before and she was holding up pretty well. She wasn't walking at a hard enough pace to effect her heartrate too much. So she was able to look about her in quiet wonder at the architecture and futuristic tech all around them.]
All the times that I looked to the stars and wondered about possible life that could be on other worlds around them. [She mused softly.] I never thought I'd find myself standing on an alien world. [She found herself smiling at that.] I could do without all the cameras following us around though. [Her smile faded after a couple moments. Sobered at the fact that the world was dying.]
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...
A thought pops into his mind. Does that mean...is it possible for Aurora to eventually take him to where he actually came from? His eyes brighten for a moment at the realization. He didn't have that chance back on Earth, but here...]