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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 room was simple enough. With a bed, bedside table and TV. With a small table and a couple of chairs. There was a small kitchenette and a bathroom too, the latter in which Maria had washed up earlier and also tried to wash her stained clothes. The main room had a small window, which currently had the blinds pulled down over it.
Maria was sitting at the table where Blaze had put the tea and plate of crackers. She was wearing one of the outfits that Shadow had gotten her. A nightgown to sleep in along with warm fuzzy socks. She was nibbling at one of the crackers when Blaze spoke up.]
Hm? What is it? [She looked over curiously. Though her eyes caught the movement on the tv across the room and she lowered the cracker squinting. Wait.] That's....that's Shadow! Both of them! [She sounded more quietly surprised than anything. Concern soon followed as she wondered what was going on.]
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as for what they see on the screen... ]
...Did they join some sort of program together?
[ though she wouldn't expect them to do so, with the impression she'd had of their first meeting, it feels like the only explanation for why they might be on the television together right now. as she watches, they slowly begin to pull themselves to their feet, seemingly giving one another ample space. it doesn't seem like the sort of behaviour they would demonstrate as a voluntary team. ]
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I didn't think they'd want to do anything together like this. [Considering how her Shadow treated the other one at least.]
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I didn't think so either. It didn't sound like their first meeting was very friendly...
[ to say the least. and while she can understand while the shadow she'd known before might jump to violent conclusions, she doesn't understand why he's doing so now—the screen showing him trying to kick the younger one across the room. ]
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Stop it! Stop fighting! Just what is your problem! [She cried, frustrated. Especially knowing they couldn't hear her. Why was her Shadow being like this to the other Shadow??] Ugh! Don't they see they need to work together?
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[ to be honest, blaze was frowning herself, but she didn't expect such an outburst from the girl next to her. watching stunned for a moment, she rises to her own feet and makes her way over so that she can place her hand on maria's. ]
Calm down Maria, there's no use in getting worked up when they can't hear you anyway.
[ though she can't bring herself to be anymore pleased at what the screen is showing them herself... at least the two seem to be separating once more, bringing an end to the violence when the younger kicks the elder hedgehog away like a soccer ball. sure. goal! what matters is that they stand apart now, staring at one another like they're facing off. ]
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I know. I'm just so frustrated and I had to say something anyway. I have no idea why Shadow insists on treating the other like that. He's done nothing that deserves that violence and hostility.
[She turned to sit on the end of the bed. ]
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I couldn't tell you either. I don't remember him being this difficult to work with...
[ if only because they share a common goal in his world. ]
At first, I thought he must have mistaken the other for an android. An... [ remembering maria's last name. pause. ] An adversary of ours created weapons that mimicked his appearance before, but that doesn't explain why he would still be hostile now.
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And with this other Shadow - he attacks him before any provocation. Even when I'm safe with him. That other Shadow was kind to me. He even shared a dance with me to cheer me up. [She saw on the tv, that her Shadow was in the bathroom looking like he was searching it, while the other was in another room. Blaze's words did cause her to frown slightly.]
Androids that looked like Shadow? Hm...I can see why he'd distrust anyone that looks like him. But...I even tried asking him to stop. I even stood between him and the other to stop him. I may have to be firmer about it. [She clearly didn't want to, but this was getting to be too much.
She had seen him remove his ear piece, which prevented her from giving him an earful directly.]
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[ it's a weak attempt to comfort her, but blaze feels her own hands clench into fists out of frustration with the situation. while she doesn't doubt that the other shadow won't go down so easily, it's still difficult to see maria in such distress, her worry for not one, but both of them audible in her voice.
she gives a sigh. be realistic. she shouldn't promise things she can't see through. ]
For now, they seem to be giving one another space. Let's hope that Shadow will honour your request and not continue his violent streak when they inevitably cross one another's paths again in there.
[ she can already see the older hedgehog being smoked out of the bathroom so to speak, water beginning to pool in the tub and the sink when they look back to the screen. ]
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I hope so. I will definitely have some things to say to him. [She frowned at the TV as Shadow left the bathroom. Was the water running in there? Just what was going on in there? The camera went from a split view to focusing on various points in the new (and creepy) room where the other Shadow had been looking around.]
I don't like this. Just....is that creature dead? [It certainly hadn't moved, even when the other Shadow was looking at the cake. Maria got up, going to the bedside table to grab the remote, intending on seeing if there was any sound to this feed. She had the volume turned down on the TV this whole time and if the Shadow's were going to converse, she wanted to hear it.
Grabbing a pillow, and her mug of tea, she came back to the end of the bed. Sipping the hot liquid, she hugged the pillow in her lap, seeking any form of comfort as she started turning up the volume.]
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[ she hopes not, but she can't say it would be surprising with what she's learned of this world. it's more of a question of whether the local populace would find a dead body... entertaining...
meanwhile on the screen, the younger shadow seems to catch sight of the older entering the room with his luminous chaos spear, looking at his own hand with intense focus. blaze watches intently, deeply interested in seeing what this other shadow can do—while his skills seem less refined, she does see an energy gathering in his palm. ]
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When her Shadow emerged from the bathroom with chaos spear in hand, she tensed with a deep frown. Perhaps he was using it as a light source. He didn't seem to be threatening the other Shadow with it. Though nothing surprised her more, when the other Shadow raised a free hand and energies crackled in his palm.]
What is he?....[No, he didn't seem like he was going to attack either. It was as if he was...trying to mimic what Shadow's spear? She glanced at what her Shadow was doing by the bookshelf and saw his hand by his ear. Wait...his ear piece! However he appeared to notice what the other was doing. Maria gasped audibly as energies flickered above the other Shadow's head as floating spears materialized and hung motionless. "Don't do anything you'll regret."
Well that told her there was audio at least. She uttered a low sound of disapproval in her throat, tapping on her ear piece to activate the HUD and find the contact list. Realizing that he would probably ignore any calls if it was 'default' she quickly changed her name to Maria R. as something identifiable that he'd recognize. She could always change it later.
With a quick intake of breath to gather her nerves, Maria proceeded to start an audio call.]
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still... ]
It's impressive that he listens to you.
[ she'd never taken shadow to listen to anyone except for maybe rouge. even that's pushing it, and it's the very reason silver had asked him if he was taking orders from some oversized rock to challenge him when she had last encountered him. the fact that this young girl has so much control over his actions is almost unbelievable, if she hadn't seen for herself the way he responded to her words. not only that, but the protectiveness he shows—is she okay?
the gears in blaze's mind turn as she watches the television, arms crossed. ]
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When it comes to the other Shadow, I'm not sure if he will. [Shadow was examining the books on the bookshelf, while the other was avoiding going near him. Understandably. She got up to pick up the mug of tea and down the rest of it, shuffling back to the table to deposit the empty mug there.]
I just had to say something when he was about to...to kill him. Or seemed like he was about to. I hope I got through to him. I might not know the other Shadow as well as mine, but I still feel rather protective over him. He's been nothing but kind to me. [She fidgeted fingers through the blonde strands of her hair, tugging at them. Unsure. Was she in the wrong? Was there something that Shadow hadn't told her yet that she was missing? She knew he cared and that everything he did, he did to protect her. But...this was just throwing her for a loop.]
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I understand. He isn't difficult to get along with, and I don't wish him harm.
[ not that blaze has found herself in much conflict with the first shadow she'd met either, but there was something about the other hedgehog that she couldn't help but feel was familiar to her.
she just can't understand why shadow is so hostile to him. ]
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Her Shadow was using a chaos spear for light and thankfully had stopped going after the other Shadow for now.
It looked like the other was going to head to the bathroom but paused at the table with the cake.
Then the light from the spear went out. Maria was grateful that the cameras had done kind of night vision feature but she knew it was probably darker for the Shadows.]
I don't like this at all. But it looks like they both... [It got darker as the other Shadow picked up a candle and the flame went out. Maria squeezed the pillow harder.]
...
Noticed...something?
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gently, she places a hand on maria's shoulder. ]
It will be alright.
[ but pop! goes the balloon. something seems to fall, and the older shadow reappears in the room—just next to the younger. ]
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Wait did you see that? It could be the quality but I could have sworn something...
[Shadow had approached the other. However the other Shadow suddenly threw a punch. The first time she saw him start an attack first. She gasped in response, as she saw the sparking quills. All she could do was sit still and silent, hugging the pillow for dear life as she watched everything unfold, hearing them both snarl at each other on the TV as her Shadow pinned the other one.
He had been pushed too far. The other one had clearly had enough of being bullied. It was amazing enough that her Shadow was trying to get the other to calm down. The one pinned underneath was yelling now. All of you, stop telling me what to do!
Maria was silent and still. Lower half of her face smushed into the pillow as her blue eyes glittered with quiet emotion and stayed locked on the screen.]
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[ blaze answers with certainty as soon as maria voices what she's seen, but rather than pursue the clue, it's the other hedgehog that shadow seems more intent on. blaze can't find herself to be too surprised when he lunges—even if he seems capable of holding an even temper when he needs to, there's no reason to believe that he wouldn't retaliate if pushed.
she frowns, but she'll finally stop standing. as much as she's more comfortable with that, as she sits on the edge of the bed next to maria, it's her blaze wants to focus on. she's heard how much care that girl has in her voice for shadow, after all, and blaze is sure she could use some reassurance as she wraps an arm around maria and leans into her. ]
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Her Shadow was trying to get through to the other Shadow, who understandably was having none of it. He kept speaking of numbers. Something about numbers on the bookshelf. She frowned, considering. The emerging puzzle (and the fact that her Shadow wasn't still trying to kill the other) helped calm her sort of. At least enough to pique her interest. Her heart went out to the other Shadow though. Even she could recognize someone in pain.] Numbers...on the bookshelf.
I wish we could have a better view of it. When it comes to books, the only thing I know is that in libraries books are sorted with the Dewey Decimal System. But...this could be something else.
[She let out a breath of relief when her Shadow let the other one go to head over to the bookshelf. The other Shadow was sitting up, bending to reach over to something on the side of the couch.] I think they are on to something...[Maria saw her Shadow pull a book off the shelf.]
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[ that, she feels certain of. they're onto something, of course, but with shadow trying to put an end to the violence in the room, they'll be much more productive once they separate again.
and it seems to be the case. they pull apart, one reaching for the couch, and the other for a book. it isn't long before one of them is reaching for the figure in the room. blaze sighs as the obvious unfolds—some kind of liquid sludge dripping out of the open cavity in its stomach as shadow rifles through it in search of... something? the camera is even zooming in on the sight.
blaze sighs. of course the gamerunners would choose that route. ]
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Moments later, the other Shadow announced that he had something. Holding out what looked like a slip of paper.]
That must....that must be what was inside the balloon he popped earlier! [Maria gasped.] I bet you he's going to try popping the others to see if there is anything inside them! [She still had no idea what was on the note, but it clearly had Shadow's attention as he puzzled at it.]
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[ that balloon seemed pretty singled out to her, grasped loosely in the being's hand. if there are so many clues, then it only means they'll be trapped for longer, and the water level is slowly rising even as they speak. did shadow even try to turn it off? she has to wonder.
but then the younger hedgehog is announcing his findings, holding out the note for shadow to read before he turns his attention elsewhere. ]
Is it some kind of riddle?
[ it's hard to discern it secondhand. ]