etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
Entry tags:

TDM 008


content warnings for this TDM include: gambling references, mild horror themes and suggestive content


⏵ arrival⏴

Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. Newcomers generally find themselves waking up within the hospital, are given a brief overview of their situation, and sent on their way. Now? They wake up immersed in a game within The Gold Saucer. But it doesn't quite feel like a game: whether it's snowy mountains, riding a chocobo as you listened to the wind quickly pass by your ears, or in the middle of a battle with a beast, it feels utterly real.

It's only after the game concludes - either by winning or losing - that you find yourself back in the main game area. A bot, dressed as personnel in this lavish playground, approaches each arrival with an earpiece allowing them to communicate with those in their same situation. It also serves to inform them of their goal: collect enough gold saucer points (or GP) by playing the games to acquire a card fashioned to their own likeness from the game counter. Then, they must trade it for someone else's. Seems simple enough, right? Hopefully the cards aren't too expensive...


⏵ the gold saucer ⏴

The Gold Saucer is an ode to the very idea of fun. It’s huge, labyrinthine, colorful, and lively. Everywhere you look, there’s something to do. At the same time, it’s also impossible to tell what time it is. There are no windows to the outside, there are no clocks. This place is beyond such a thing.

There are games everywhere you look, ranging from the pseudo-gambling to sports to pixelated video games in cabinets. Yet no matter which boxing game, pinball machine, or skeeball machine you look at, the same creatures and themes arrive. Cactuars, chocobos, the fiercest Behemoth, the cuddliest Moogle… For those from the realms of Final Fantasy, this will feel natural- homey even. Everyone else will simply understand that there is a fairly strong central theme here about magic, machines, and monsters.

It’s hard to tell how long you spend here, and it seems to sit outside of the very concept of time. Still, there are many restaurants, lounges, and vending machines. There are shops and costume rentals. There are even little pharmacies with headache remedies if the partying gets out of hand. And when you grow tired, there is a hotel- though it is made up like a haunted house, you can count on getting some semi-restful sleep.


⏵ playtime ⏴
Interdimensional Games


At first, stepping through to play any of these games may make participants wonder if they have been teleported somewhere else entirely. But on closer inspection, all the skies above are merely well-constructed interiors with painted ceilings. After all, it always seems to be daytime during these games.

Snowboarding - Race to the bottom of the mountain, but avoid obstacles and complete as many tricks as possible!

Chocobo Racing- Race on Chocobo-back around a treacherous outdoors race track which can either be taking place in a desert, a swampy forest, or upon an island beach. Work in tandem with your rented bird and against your competition by throwing hazards in their way or utilizing buffs garnered on the track. Different colored birds will yield different advantages.

Yellow - Good All Rounder
Red - Fast, but hard to steer
Blue - Slower, but very easy to steer. Much easier to pick up items from them.
Green- Resilient against traps and sabotage

Colosseum Battle- Face off against the fiercest beasts around. Pair up with friends or rivals to Collaborate or Compete to do the most damage and deliver the final blow. These battles are synced to the comparative power of the one entering the competition.

We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt unnecessarily, after all. And indeed, no one will get seriously, gruesomely, or permanently injured in these battles. Those without fighting capabilities can rent weapons outfitted Materia to assist them in their trial. These will allow anyone to cast spells, though not guarantee any better wielding of weapons. There are a hundred rounds, starting with fairly simple Spriggans, ranging all the way up to blood-thirsty Behemoths to challenge even the most battle-hardened hero.

Gold Saucer Games


Leap of Faith- Players are presented with an obstacle course that stretches a hundred feet into the air upon floating platforms and islands. Both are held aloft by magical crystals. Powers are entirely nerfed, though falling and hitting the ground is strangely painless. Those who collect the most silver and gold statuettes of cactuars placed at random throughout the course will be awarded proportionate GP; though there is a bonus for those that reach the very top first.

Triple Triad- Everywhere you look, people are playing this game on little 3 by 3 boards, or any surface with enough space. You will be given a loaner deck to play with. Are you clever enough to defeat your fellows.

Fashion Report- Theobold, familiar to some, stands by himself in a little booth with a dressing room and an incredibly expansive walk-in closet. He is a robot of distinguished fashion and strong opinions on those fashions. Do you dare subject yourself to his scrutiny? Come prepare in his wondrous closets to make the best outfit for the chance to win a prize. Please submit your fashion here!

There are Arcade Machines and activities galore. If you can think of it, it’s probably there- Just with that Final Fantasy pastiche on it, of course.


⏵ the beehive lounge ⏴

There are other places to eat at the Gold Saucer, but the vending machines and cafés all pale in comparison to the dinners at the Beehive.

For all the rave reviews, there is a dress code at the Beehive, and this is literal. If you step inside and are not currently wearing a dress, you will be ushered into a sideroom and appropriately made over.

However, this is only for those trying to go in through the normal doors. Around the side there happens to be an employee entrance, manned by a bot. He will only allow those in who seem like they intend to work— and therefore must be wearing at least one piece of the Bunnysuit Collection to trick the guard.

Once you are made over or have snuck in, you are free to relax inside with drinks, dine on a fine meal, watch the dancers, or participate yourself if you feel brave enough. Why would anyone ever dance here? Well, that’s simple. It pays really well. So if you’re sick of games, or terrible at them— you can always come dance for a shift. Though, don't get any unseemly ideas about freeing yourself of your clothing, this isn't that kind of establishment!


⏵ haunted house ⏴

When you grow too weary or drunk from a day of games, you may be directed to somewhere a little quieter to sleep. Up the elevator, and through the doors reveals a modest walk through some woods until a quaint, victorian hotel appears. It is always nighttime here, and the stars and moon twinkle above.

The receptionist, a bot in a rather bedraggled-looking chocobo mascot costume checks you in and shows you to your room. You can sleep here, especially if you can tolerate the hokey haunted decorations strung up around the place. Though sometimes, late at night, there will come a vigorous thumping on the door to startle sleeping patrons awake- Only for the culprit to vanish and be impossible to locate.



⏵ ticket counter ⏴


The prize counter is manned by a bot and has a sign posted overhead. Most prizes will be handed over inside an appropriately sized wrapped box, as the contents are a mystery.


Sparklers & Glowsticks 10 gp
Bunny Suit 300 gp
Bunny Stockings & Heels 150 gp
Animal Ears (Random) 500 gp
Kigurumi (Random) 100 gp
Chocobo Barding (Random) 1000 gp
Classic White Mage Robes 500 gp
Classic Black Mage Robes 500 gp
Plush Toy (Random) 100 gp
Wind-Up Minion (Random) 200 gp
Chocobo Mascot Suit (Random Color) 2000 gp
Triple Triad Booster Pack 50 gp
Triple Triad Card in your Likeness 10,000 gp


⏵ NOTES ⏴


This TDM may be treated as a mini-Mission. Time will not pass inside of it in relation to the world outside - meaning, this can be happening at any time between late May into early July!

This Gold Saucer is a bit of a mix between that of FF7's and FF14's, but it also has some things that neither have as well. Any inaccuracies are entirely intentional, aimed to make this rest within a space of uncanny valley for those who are familiar. While otherwise being a bit of a chaotic fantastical funhouse for everyone else! If there is something unlisted, chances are it will exist if it is in either of the other versions of the Gold Saucer.

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 to our mod queries comment!

FULL NAVIGATION

nottheboss: (Default)

[personal profile] nottheboss 2025-06-24 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Trust that she got her second chance," he points out. "If it was up to me she'd just be pink chum in the middle region. To be added to other programs."
oblige: (turn)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-24 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ After reaching the apex of his leap, Dion comes plunging down, the business end of his halberd first. He strikes the dragon's back and it lets out a bellowing roar, rearing back in an attempt to throw him off. Its focus is effectively off of the little black mage.

Dion proves difficult to knock away, using his halberd as leverage to remain where he is. He shifts his weight and keeps his weapon planted with the finesse of years of experience in dealing with dragons specifically, until the dragon thrashes so violently it forces him to spring away.

He lands as nimbly as though he'd hardly dropped from any height at all, and the dragon turns to face him, frost pluming out from between its teeth. ]


Best keep your eyes on me.

[ He levels his weapon, as though issuing the creature a direct challenge. So long as he holds the dragon's attention, the little mage should be able to safely cast...in theory. ]
Edited 2025-06-24 03:46 (UTC)
ornitiers: (Won't you take)

[personal profile] ornitiers 2025-06-24 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Vivi gets the chance to cast firaga while the dragon is distracted and thrashing, so focused on Dion that the tiny mage is less of an immediate concern.

At least until Dion is faced with the dragon, and the frost is melted from the heat of Vivi's spell as it hits the dragon in the side of the face. Vivi is still trying to keep his distance, further back than Dion was. He watches them, waiting to be sure that the dragon wouldn't target him after that, waiting till it is safe to cast again.]


It hit, right?
oblige: (Default)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-24 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
You did indeed. A fine strike.

[ Not only that, a potent spell. Dion mentally notes that despite his apparent youth, the boy clearly has some mastery of magic.

When the dragon's head whips in Vivi's direction with a snarl, Dion lunges forward to strike one of its horns. The dragon aborts its movement turning to swipe at Dion. He manages to hop back quickly enough, but the dragon pursues, snapping at him and forcing him to use his halberd to block.

Still, he looks more concentrated than concerned. ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 13)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-06-24 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ Wincing, she clasps her hands over her ears to drown out the loud explosion, but she squints through the bright light, trying to watch as he deals the finishing blow. And that's the end of Mister Prickles. The battle comes to a close and the audience erupts in applause and cheers. That sadness over fighting Mister Prickles returns with an ache in her heart. She would have loved to become friends with the adorable cactus instead of fight, but it didn't give them much of a choice.

Her weapons have already reappeared next to her. Without any reason to fight any longer, the spheres melt away, leaving Fio looking like the deceptively unarmed child that walked in at the beginning of the match. Anyone that enters the colosseum now might be in disbelief that she's had much of a hand in the fight.

With the cactus out of the way, it's safer to move about. She breaks off into a short jog to join her companion's side, slowing down halfway, only because he called her out as the "greatest gladiator". He's giving her too much credit! ]


I- uh... [ A faint glow rises to her cheeks. She grasps the edges of her dress, giving a low effort curtsey and halfhearted smile for the crowd. Continuing on across the arena, she stops right before him. Standing together feels more like a team. Those cheers should be for both of them.

Another glance back towards the seating and she gives one last shy wave to the crowd. Then she turns her gaze up to him, her smile slipping away. ]


...Mister? Thank you. You were really great too. [ They won, but Fio doesn't look happy. Normally she does know how to put on a cheerful front, but it's too difficult to even try right now. She's far more concerned about the man who had to be up close to their opponent's attacks than basking in the glow of victory. She looks him up and down. Her partner is completely bloodied, while she remains unharmed in her clean white dress... ] Are you sure nothing hurts? [ Because he looks hurt all over. ] I'm sorry I can't heal...
ornitiers: (Your tears)

[personal profile] ornitiers 2025-06-24 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yes!

[Vivi seems happy, at least, judging from the apparent expression in his eyes, if Dion is paying that much attention when the blonde confirms it had hit. As the dragon continues to focus on Dion, Vivi starts casting again, not wanting the other to get hurt trying to protect him. He casts a lower-level fire spell, quicker to cast this time, but at least wants to assist Dion as the other keeps the dragon's attention focused on him.]
stylebythemile: (009)

[personal profile] stylebythemile 2025-06-24 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Sonia watches the bots for another moment, taking note of their motions and instructions. The only time a SWATbot would urge calm and offer assistance would be in the event of a catastrophic malfunction.

Moving to follow him, she watches their backs, remaining silent until they've entered the hall, but keeping her voice down when she does speak up. Where they're going exactly, she's not sure, but she gets the feeling they're probably not meant to be here.

Story of her life. It doesn't bother her as much as it should.]


So why were they after you?
fortitudosalutis: (Default)

[personal profile] fortitudosalutis 2025-06-24 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
You don’t have to, technically,

[ His tone is bland. ]

But we all got yanked here by an AI to represent our worlds. Supposedly.
reincarnesiac: (quiet consideration)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-24 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah... I was wondering about that. Do you usually get told more than, "Aurora says you need to play to win. Get a face card. Make friends," when you arrive?

( She nudges the small mountain of tickets at their feet. )

Because as far as explanations, that was a pretty terrible one. Though I'm... at least a little glad I won't have to live in a casino forever.
reincarnesiac: (oh you did not just -- you did)

ree do you care if i go absolutely absurd

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-24 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
( Alex does get beside him, but while he's ultimately crunching across the snow (couldn't it have at least been a powder day?), Alex's journey is going something like this:

She makes it over the lip before the downhill! Balanced, sure, she's got that. Then she shifts her weight, only it's not the way that works for snowboarding, so her arms pinwheel and she pulls her board around hard on accident, sending her falling back and landing on her rear with a umph. One of the balloons is over her head now. It bobs there, tauntingly.
)

This is why I'd take lessons if I was doing this by choice!

( She mutters up at the balloon. The balloon is unaffected, until she bops it with her head getting back up and batting it out of the way. Then it releases a singing sort of short little ditty, and the equivalent of a sparkler being lit hovers in the air behind where they've already been.

That road split arrives as Alex comes again to the realisation that she is not properly prepared for snowboard navigation, especially as she picks up speed hitting a hidden mogul and bends her knees as she gains air, shot down one side of the split in the road by the nature of her angled hit.
)

Woah!

( The bent knees and her general sense of balance help her stick the landing, but she entirely misses the balloons floating over this section, because... she... ducked under them to stick her landing.

... Alas.
)
reincarnesiac: (quiet consideration)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-24 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
( Alex lifts her eyebrows, one hand falling to rest at her hip. )

Want? It's a little annoying, but I pay them back, so we come out even.

( Making it sound, correctly, like it's just part of a teasing back and forth she has with people she's known for a while. Caleb's the worst about it, but she also grew up with him, and she's equally the worst back at him. Her lack of concern indicates a security in how she's treated: Alex has no tolerance to being actually manhandled by anyone, and will be very proactive to any who try.

Excepting some battles or sometimes when she's getting tied down so she can be injected with a suppressant, but those are outliers, not standard day to day realities. Or being drugged to not interfere with plans from massively powerful companies working from the shadows.

... Okay. Maybe things do happen more frequently this last year than they ever had before.
)

She sounds like a lovely companion. I'm glad you two found your way back to each other again too.

( She means it, if her smile and tone are any indications. Alex might not have had any pets of her own or any desire for them, but she loves the strays she feeds around the neighborhood, and she knows people get attached to animals like horses, who they also ride. Why not a chocobo? Idly, she wonders if any of the plushie machines have white chocobos in them. )

I was dropped down into the snowboarding game area. On the lift. I wiped out getting myself off of it, so no, not much of an explanation for me either. Didn't even find the bots until I got out of the game.

reincarnesiac: (pensive staring into distance)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-24 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Largely theoretical, but if anyone had won plushies in the crane games and then was accepted into the game, would any of the plushies be able to come along with them?
auderes: (pic#17359207)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-06-24 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you need some work on more than just your eyes.

[ He probably should have expected that. Dick shakes his head, but it cracks a smile regardless as he heads over to slide onto an empty seat to the side. It gives him a much better vantage point to give Midnighter a once-over, assessing the damage, despite knowing that he'll probably be way too pleased with the attention. He does look like he might fall off the bar stool at any moment, and Dick recognizes that all too well, there have been plenty of times when he's only kept going through sheer determination even when his body has been pushed past its absolute limits.

And if that takes a lot for him, it would take more, in a lot of ways, to knock Midnighter down. Obviously those enhancements aren't doing him much good here. ]


As far as I know, yeah, I guess that makes you a special guest. [ Quips aside... ] How bad is it?

[ He's conscious and talking, so Dick's not too worried. ]
auderes: (pic#17340934)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-06-24 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
That doesn't sound like the Bruce I know.

[ Contrary to popular belief he doesn't think that Bruce in infallible, they've disagreed plenty of times before, sometimes bitterly, even to the point of exchanging blows, and when it comes to Jason there's a tangled mess of unresolved issues even now, but that... just doesn't make sense, for a lot of reasons. ]

A few nightmares?

[ Whatever Jason has to tell him, it won't convince him that this is wrong, but he's concerned regardless of the whole 'getting fired' part. ]
laserguy: (so the plan is)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-24 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Really? 80%? So, you and the others are actually the majority back home...

[Feels like the complete opposite, a shift in dynamic that is honestly kind of hard to think about. Mostly everyone has powers in some way... guess that's cool? Must really suck though then for people that don't have powers. Like not only are you in the minority, but you can't do something neat.

He wonders what the other mutants would react to this sort of thing.]


But yeah, basically. Cool. Glad I don't have to fully explain it to you. [Thanks for not being a dumbass--]
laserguy: (yeah sure man)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-24 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Sure, we form a group, gather resources, plan out shit, and fight back against the power.

[He is, in fact, not an expert in rebellions. The most stuff that he knows is from watching movies-- although... maybe that's not entirely accurate. Not when he and the others completed that mission in Solmara not too long ago. That was pretty much a rebellion.

Hm, yeah. That probably counts. It has to count if he almost died, right? So, in a slightly less sarcastic manner--]


I mean, all that is true, but a lot of it is learning the other guy's weak points, right? Figuring out where each person is best suited to go. Building connections with others that have similar mindsets.
thelightshines: (You are my possession)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-06-24 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
...I was trying to get inside that lounge. It's the only place that has guards. [He wanted to know why. A moment's pause.]

There's no need for you to follow me. [She's out of danger now and can go where she likes. There are doors along this hall, and he'll try all of them until he gets to one that looks like it could get them inside the Beehive. The first simply open to a closet, the second though, there was muffled music playing through it. Problem, the moment he opens that door, the backside of someone in a bunny suit is blocking their way. They turn when they hear the door, staring, at least that's what it felt like they were doing without saying a word. The voice that eventually comes out, was yet another bot.

Are you here to work?

Shadow frowns, glaring up at them, trying to figure out how to proceed. The head of the bunnysuit tilts slightly.

Hedgehog is not the appropriate attire for work. You must meet dresscode in order to start working.

It gestures at one of the other doors they hadn't tried yet. Opening it will lead them to the break room, where one could find bunny outfits if they choose to take that route.]
laserguy: (let's go together)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-24 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, wow, didn't know you were such a fan.

[But before Shadow decides to change his mind and either bail on him or go back to playing Triple Triad, he nods and quickly catches up to the other. It's not long before he takes a couple of paces ahead of him so that he can start leading the other to the pinball machines that he saw earlier.]

So, how close are you anyway? To winning that card?
laserguy: (ruby quartz)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-24 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Better than me, only read the first book.

[Wait, movies? They actually made movies of those books? Huh. Does that mean Sonic's version of Earth decided that the Chronicles of Narnia was a good enough series to start creating films for? Or is this sometime in the future of his Earth? Hard to really tell.

Interesting thought, but his mind shifts gears to their mutual friend and yeah. He's not surprised to hear that. He doesn't think that Shadow can be happy, ever. It's like he made it his life mission to be grumpy and a prick the entire time. Not that Scott could relate-- nope.]


...Hey, that Shadow just sort of follows me around and calls me an idiot the entire time. He's just an asshole man. Don't think it really has anything to do with you.

[Especially since so far? Scott can say that Sonic is pretty easy to be around.]
thelightshines: (Because you lit up my world)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-06-24 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's not, shut up!

He tilts his head, tapping his earpiece.]
Halfway. [He could get there more quickly, but he's not...really that enthused about getting a card of himself, honestly.] I can't think of a point as to why we need that card.
auderes: (pic#17338943)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-06-24 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
As narrow as his balance is on the edge of the platform it's a casual thing for him to turn toward her, taking a couple of steps closer, closing a gap that wasn't very big in the first place.

"I didn't say that."

Assuming she doesn't decide to play keep away at the last second he'll take the card she's holding up and deftly replace it with one that he plucks out of his own suit, one that's still perfectly pristine despite all of the jumping and running and twisting that he's been doing up here. And, as she might expect, it's a card with his face on it— Dick Grayson's face, that is, no mask in sight, with the same beaming smile that he always shows off when posing for pictures. As if everything here isn't strange and dream-like and alien to him. Or it was, before he managed to gravitate his way toward the singular person who gives him a sense of direction no matter how far from home they might be, or how bad things might be going.

Not even the complications inherent in his presence here could change that. He belongs with her, his heart knows that.

"I thought about getting one of those mascot suits to wear for the picture but I didn't want to be a total show-off."
reincarnesiac: (Default)

[personal profile] reincarnesiac 2025-06-24 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)

Sounds great, thank you!

tinflower: (pic#17818419)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-06-24 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The comment on the machinery makes Gorgug wonder if Yuri's referring to Aphaia--a place Gorgug didn't go to, but that he heard had decent technology inside it. A brief thought is given to Borealis, and then let go of.

He doesn't ask about it immediately, but it pings his interest. For now, Gorgug brings his goggles down, tapping the side to activate a scanning mode that doesn't reflect too differently on the lenses. When they stop, Gorgug looks around, sees the nearby cameras that aren't angle towards them, and then directs his sight to the machine. ]


I'll check it out. [ He's trying to balance his voice between not being too loud, but loud enough to be heard over the constant music. Dips his chin as he says next: ] Get ready. We're checking out a machine--be sneaky.

[ That's for his little comrade. There's a light deflation to Gorgug's hoodie that's miniscule, and Gorgug stands there before stepping to seem like he's looking around on the floor, or at least down. He pulls back on a sleeve to show a screen strapped to his wrist, eyeing the side of the panelling of the machine, but not keeping his focus on it.

Instead, he looks back at Yuri, whether he's looking at Gorgug or not, or keeping his lookout. ]


We're gonna see how easy it's to get into. It's good at breaking in. [ ... ] That's what I'm trying to train it to do.

[ It would be the bot that's shrink down in size and is probably out of sight of Yuri now, locating screws to change the shape of its inner tongue into a screwdriver to undo. ]

Have you checked out-- how many of the games with points have you checked out?

[ Gorgug might as well ask while they're got the time to waste. ]
tinflower: (pic#17771727)

[personal profile] tinflower 2025-06-24 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He lets out a small- ] Oh [ at their answer, neither relieved nor disappointed. And now he's holding onto a hanging child...

With a question. ]


Gorgug, [ he answers easily enough, and looking them over... ] Do you want me to put you back the way I found you, or...

[ Should he carry them? Put them on their feet? There's no rush on his end. He's willing to take requests! ]