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

her_own_rules: Batgirl, Nightwing (Neither of Them Can Stop It)

[personal profile] her_own_rules 2025-06-25 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Barbara doesn't pull her hand back at the last minute. Doesn't even consider it. Though there is some consideration of him coming closer to retrieve it—and the one he replaces it with. A memento to the fact he has to have been here a while before she nearly flew right into him rounding that earlier platform. The cards don't just appear from thin air, sitting at the farthest thing down the prize list, at an enormous leap from the next highest. Which is, at the very least, the litany of logic she would like to say she was paying any attention to when she first looked at the replacement card.

Dick Grayson, and his carelessly perfect smile.
Stopping clenching hard right behind her breastbone.

Even as she pushed through to give the small piece of compound paper a wave, like it was inconsequential (and there wasn't the hard, precise pressure between the pad of her thumb and the side of her pointer finger, to make sure it couldn't go flying). "And cover this face? How would anyone have any clue it was you, then? I wouldn't trade all my earlier GP for a giant Chocobo head."
thelightshines: (You gave me)

[personal profile] thelightshines 2025-06-25 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
No. [He spits the taste of saltwater out of his mouth, moving to stand.] Only blind it in one eye. [The arena starts to shake violently as Shadow tries to keep his footing. Pillers of water start to rise all around the arena, turning into dangerous water spouts. The piller they're on shakes as the serpent smashes into that one as well.

Just as Shadow moves to get off, the serpent will resurface, flying upwards to try and grab one of them with it's jaws. It's right eye is indeed closed and unusable, but it still poses a threat, and probably pissed off at this point. Who does it rise to try and snap it's jaws on though?]
fromfire: (well; i woke up alone)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-06-25 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Another shake of his leg, he feels the energy weave around it to mend the injury. He is glad that she does a jog towards him since it probably would be very obvious he was quite hurt if he tried to close the distance himself. ]

Sorry. I'd give you a pat on the head but -- [ He wiggles his fingers as he is still quite red. Although, it's shifting to the lovely darker shade blood turns as it dries. ] -- still, wonderful job.

[ Verso waves his hand lightly at him being great. ] Only because of the support I had... that's what allowed me to look great. [ He smiles with the hope that it'll bring a smile on her face, too. ] Come on, they probably have some victory treat to be had, yeah? [ His mind races as he wonders how old she is. Sure, she looked quite small from where she was from him, but looking at her now, he's even more concerned. ]

Nothing hurts. [ He rolls his arm to show it's fine. Is it right to lie to a little girl? In this case, he thinks that it is. ] I'm quite sturdy. [ A laugh -- he thinks it sounds sincere rather than forced. ] It's all right. Since I'm all whole again, nothing to worry yourself over.

[ He makes a gesture for them to walk together. ] Verso, by the way.
fromfire: (i was lost at sea)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-06-25 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ He follows the gaze to the piano. Not yet unsummoned since he had intended to play a few more songs for Gorgug if he wanted to hear something versus play. ]

All right. [ A small nod. ] I'll play it again for you to get the mood.

[ Pivoting, he heads back to his piano to play the song yet again. ]
fromfire: (i'm gonna keep on dancing)

salutes. minor spoilers from act ii.

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-06-25 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ If he could've, he would've propped his elbow up on his knee to listen to Clive talk about his country's past. But as it stands (or sits, as the case may be), he tilts his head to be able to watch how he looks as he talks. His eyes drift along his expression, taking in what he says and how he says it. ]

Sounds nice. [ Is what he says aloud. ] To be someone who people believe and follow in is -- [ He shakes his head. ] -- worth being made into a myth.

[ His eyebrows rise as his lie is found out so quickly. Not that it was difficult, but he would've hoped Clive would play along with what he said. ]

I do want those extra credit points, so it seems I must.

[ Yet again his eyebrow lifts, he flicks his gaze over the man's face and then drifts down past his collarbone. His head tilts to the side as he did promise that he wouldn't be too frisky in speech or action, but it seems his promise to keep that true is being tested. But he is good and doesn't say anything about being tied to a bed. Good Verso.

It's easy to not say anything when gentle fingertips are touching the healing wounds. His gaze drifts about the room before once more returning to Clive's face. At the question of how it works, he feels a brief frown slip on his lips then fade away. ]


In my ... where I come from... something called the Fracture happened years and years ago. It was a catastrophic event that nearly destroyed everything. [ His eyes fix on he ceiling for a brief second. ] For some reason, I became immortal. [ He scratches the side of his face. ] I can't die. I can control my healing... and so none of this will scar unless I want it to scar. [ Turning his head slightly: ] When I'm all better, you could see even more tricks. You could cut me in half and both halves can move independently of the other.

[ A little smile. ] It's all great fun.
Edited 2025-06-25 05:20 (UTC)
ablazinggrace: (are you all right?)

[personal profile] ablazinggrace 2025-06-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
[That is not quite the reaction Joshua expected. Unless for some reason, Dion has forgotten he was here previously?

Something to decipher once they aren't holding up the line. He follows Dion into the gondola and sits.]


Dion, are you all right? You look as though you may be considering asking me once more if I am a ghost.

[It's a gentle tease, but there's real concern beneath it, too.]
oblige: (consider)

[personal profile] oblige 2025-06-25 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Dion's eyebrows pinch together and he opens his mouth to speak, but he manages little more than an abbreviated utterance before their gondola to lurches into motion. They don't go far, just enough for those next in line to board the next one. It leaves them swaying in place as Dion frowns in thought.

He had been told so many things about the nature of Etraya, of being drawn from other worlds in general. It leaves him with so many questions. Dion laces his fingers together, considering how best to respond.

In the end, nothing quite satisfies, and so— ]


It has been two moons since last I saw you.

[ Dion answers quietly, if only because it's easier to maintain his composure that way. If Joshua doesn't remember, what would that mean? ]
sabigoe: (⚙ 21)

[personal profile] sabigoe 2025-06-25 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ Fio's seen his flashy moves. He could have still looked great without her, she thinks. What he says does at least bring out a faint smile. Knowing that she did manage to be helpful to him in some way makes her happy. The audience got double the light show because of them. Or triple, counting the glowing cactus. ]

If... you say so. [ Still a bit skeptical, finding it difficult to believe him after the heavy blows he endured. ] I'm Fio. If you do need help walking, just let me know. You can hold my hand.

[ Unbothered by the thought of getting blood on her. Her eyes linger on him for a moment longer. All she sees is the now dried blood. And he keeps moving around to show that he's "all right". ...She believes him. Trying to, since there's not much else she can do.

Turning her gaze ahead, she starts walking for the arena's exit. Slowly at first, just in case. She is thinking more about him than prizes. They should probably find a place for him to wash up first and a change of clothes. That should be more important than getting a victory treat. ]


Verso... [ Can she make a nickname out of that, she wonders. It doesn't sound like she's going to let Verso have a say in this. He's right there, but is she thinking of asking for his input? No. Thoughtfully, she murmurs out loud to herself, brainstorming a couple of options. It doesn't cross her mind as rude. There isn't any mean-spiritedness behind her nicknaming habits. ] Versie... Verver...
ornitiers: (Won't you take)

[personal profile] ornitiers 2025-06-25 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
The ice? Ah! I see!

[Vivi nods, his large hat shifting slightly with the movement. He takes the chance while Dion distracts the dragon to cast another firaga spell, this time aiming at the back where the ice is, rather than at its face. He isn't sure whether the dragon might be getting weaker, tired. But he just has to keep at it. Hopefully, now they have figured out a potential weak spot, which should help them to deal with this.]

There!
betenoir: (Security)

[personal profile] betenoir 2025-06-25 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
[The name elicits a spark of recognition; the wrinkling of his brow and a longer glance at the drawing.]

We've met.

[He dwells on their meeting for a moment. How to sum everything in a few words?]

She seems kind enough.
fromfire: (is that)

[personal profile] fromfire 2025-06-25 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Quite kind of you, Fio.

[ Especially since she doesn't seem to worry too much about getting blood on her. He gives another roll of his shoulder to theatrically add to the act that what happened didn't hurt and he's fine, actually.

He walks along with her - appreciating the slow pace. It seems like he might have to visit that bot with clothes to get washed up and snag some new attire. Or maybe a quick stop at the hotel? His chin lifts as he thinks either would be fine. But overall, he keeps smiling and sauntering confidently along. ]


Hm? [ He leans a little forward as she calls his name. But it doesn't seem like she's calling him. His head tilts to the side and he blinks at the soft murmurs to herself. Although, he does pause at the "Verver" nickname. His eyes drop and dart away before smiling: ] Versie sounds better, if you're asking for my input.

[ Someone else called him "Verver," but that name has been special between them. He doesn't think it'd be right to take it. ]

I dunno if "little miss" works well as a nickname back. I'll have to work hard on thinking about something that suits you. [ He moves on rather than dwell. Holding his chin, he hums as he thinks. ] Shall we workshop this together? Or ... what would you give yourself as a nickname?
auderes: (pic#17340904)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-06-25 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It does feel like no force in the multiverse could budge him when Damian's holding onto him so fiercely, and he's realizing now that he needed this too. Being pulled so far from home so abruptly has left him feeling adrift, not even knowing which direction he should swing, trapped and useless in a way that he's not used to at all. He's wearing the suit, but that was a matter of convenience, not because Nightwing is needed here. Being able to accrue arbitrary points faster than the average person only goes so far, and the painted skies and glittering illusion of stars is wearing off fast.

There's so much more to it outside, he knows that, they won't be trapped in here for long, relatively speaking, but it's one thing to know that and another to have Damian's strong arms squeezing him, a prescient reminder of the reality behind all the cheerful characters and friendly games. And of why it matters more than anything. He wasn't going to forget that, but the tangible reminder helps put it all in context.

... And he's going to get in his hugs with Damian while he can. Dick figures that eventually he'll decide that he's too old and cool to hug his big brother. ]


That's an interesting crew that you've got here. [ He's been in some interesting team-ups of his own over the years, but never one like this. ] One with a lot of potential, but I'm guessing that it's been tough trying to get everyone on the same page.

[ Some people are better at working together than others. Bruce... can be a difficult case on his own, and that's not even taking into account the fact that there are a lot of others here from different universes. He's only met a few. ]

Any rivalries I should know about?
bluejustice: (41)

[personal profile] bluejustice 2025-06-25 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll count making it nearsighted as an improvement. [He manages not to fall back on his butt as the ground shakes. Yeah, he recognizes the feeling of the ground crumbling beneath his feet. It's only seconds before this pillar falls as well.]

Oh, c'mon! [He could dodge and run, but the whole being seen as a snack is getting old. And before he could think better of it, impulse takes over, and he's already hurling himself straight at the monster's face in a spin dash. He aims for the right eye to do the most damage.]
laserguy: (smug)

[personal profile] laserguy 2025-06-25 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh, yeah, it is kind of odd. Maybe they just want to reward people who are getting involved with the games and earning a bunch of points is one way to prove it.

[Or they only care about the 'winners?' At least the Gold Saucer isn't falling apart like that one planet they met on, so it doesn't feel as pressing. Still, Scott doesn't plan to be stuck here for months on end-- but it seems that Aurora brings them back to Etraya anyway after a while.]
bigpoofymammoth: (Default)

[personal profile] bigpoofymammoth 2025-06-25 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Seems like it. And I have to say it’s rather tame compared to some of the other games around here.
limiterrings: (pic#17684462)

[personal profile] limiterrings 2025-06-25 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[ familiar indeed, too familiar for this to be happening so soon, and shadow knows he hasn't used that ability enough to allow the other to learn it. he's never done anything that would give him purpose to do that, and to do it without an emerald? shadow looks the other hedgehog up and down, analyzing him and then glancing to the portal that stands right beside him.

...this is just as important as that. ]


What did you do?

[ be it the ability or finding the portal, it's hard to understand what he's asking when it's so vague. ]
shoplifter: (pic#17202915)

[personal profile] shoplifter 2025-06-25 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Laura has gotten very used to the confusion and questions. And thankfully, she doesn't leave him in the dark too terribly.]

It is a power I have. I heal very fast.

[So that means you don't have to worry at all, as far as she's concerned. She knows the adults usually worry anyway, but it's good to at least let them know she's... a particular case.]

You'll fit in with the others here, though. They're not always so careful... What did you get hurt by?

[She can smell gunpowder with her sensitive nose, but she'd just assumed it was his own weapon giving off the scent.]
borrowers: (pic#17835002)

[personal profile] borrowers 2025-06-25 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Don't mind her staring in silent horror for a moment.

That's always a complicated question, even without thinking she's in current mortal peril. She'd been told in her youth that human beings and borrowers were not one in the same, but Arrietty had always been fascinated by just how closely they resemble each other. Some had told her mother that humans were invented to supply goods to borrowers — she's not so sure she believes that.]


I'm — a borrower.

[She stands more firmly and clenches her fists at her sides, trying to find the courage not to turn and try to run again.]

What are you? You look like a human toy, but — bigger.
odinpusrex: (269)

cw: mild nsfw

[personal profile] odinpusrex 2025-06-25 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[The words felt like fire in his ears, and while it warmed his blood for a moment, that warmth was quickly cooled like molten steel to water. Yet, just as the steel had been beaten to form, the shape of those words were in his mind even as Mythos freed himself and walked away. Silence is his response, wistful darkened eyes his follow through.

The cold of his absent just as chilling as the cold the shadow has ever gifted him, and this he knows better than most. Still, the ghost of warmth feeds the longing, feeds that yawning gape within him, and as his grey eyes watch Mythos as he walks away, his own arousal does not flag as much as it might have otherwise.

Much as the metaphorical steel, he too is hard.

An unfortunate and troublesome state, something truly beneath one such as him, but even further is its inappropriateness when one considers the object tantalizing him so. Blasphemous, and for it he should feel shame... Yet still his eyes linger even as Mythos is gone from view, Barnabas ignoring any eyes that might be cast his way, nor less any that might notice...his situation. Fortunately, with how he's turned towards the wall, it is less obvious, but still.

Their chance to stare slips by quick, however, as smoke-like aether whips around him and in a swirl he vanishes, retreating to his shadowy vigil where he might be afforded some respite.]
Edited 2025-06-25 22:59 (UTC)
repaintress: by betenoir (Thinking)

Leap of faith - I'm sorry, Gustave

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-06-25 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There is a pure, primal joy in the use of one's body. It's a joy Clea has been denied since her brother's death: There is no time for dancing when there are people to be cared for, positions to be defended, and a manor to be rebuilt. When there is justice to be pursued. There has been no dancing: What would she dance to without Verso to accompany her?

But this.

This is not dancing. This is like the games the Gestrals came up with to challenge her and Verso when they were small: Competitions she had almost always won until Verso had been rude enough to enter adolescence and surpass her in height as well as brute strength.

But control. Control is something Clea Dessendre had in spades.

She leaps with expertly timed jumps, feet barely touching the ground before she pushes off again, inertia carrying through to assist her with the jumps. Each movement is calculated and confident as she grabs the small statues, reveling in the opportunity to stretch her legs, the burning of her muscles and the pounding of her heart a welcome distraction.

Her toes barely graze the edge of a platform before she pushes off of it, reaching her arm above her head to pull a golden cactaur from where it sits on a needle sized platform before falling gracefully with a roll back at the start.

Clea remains in a seated position, a satisfied (and peaceful) look on her face as she pulls statues from her pockets, unaware anyone is nearby until he speaks.

Looking up at him, Clea measures him up and down with an open frankness. A swimsuit would look good on him. ]


Perhaps I should donate the prize to you if I win, Monsieur.
ornithologist: (224)

[personal profile] ornithologist 2025-06-25 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"... I have no idea what that means, but it sounds horrible."

Harold really can't decipher half of that and looks faintly disgusted, but he shakes it off a moment later.

"In any case, believe me, Ms. Shaw does not see us as her second chance." It's hard to imagine she thinks of their little outfit the same way John or Root do, who are more similar to one another in certain ways than they like to think most of the time.
cactusy: (our big beautiful future cemetery)

haunted hotel

[personal profile] cactusy 2025-06-25 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Shaw hate, hate, hates this. Under the right circumstances, she quite enjoys partying - but that good feeling does not extend to enforced partying, particularly in mind-bending pleasure palaces with no escape and few opportunities for respite. She had been fundamentally opposed to Aphaia's philosophy, but at least those challenges had been in her wheelhouse. The games here? Hell no.

All this is to say that she's overwhelmed too, though on her it barely shows; she doesn't tremble, and other than the telltale baggy eyes of sleeplessness, her face is impassive. She doesn't even jump when she rounds a hallway corner and comes face to face with Bossie.

"Banging on the bedroom door?" she asks, in place of a greeting.
repaintress: by betenoir (Shadow1)

Quiet Song

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-06-25 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She knows that song. Clea knows that song. Her heart sinks into her now roiling stomach and she finds herself frozen in place. She should have known better. She'd spent too much time enjoying herself, like a foolish child that trusts anything put in front of them. There's too much: The anger constricting her in her body, the warm pulse of comfort in her heart that she can't deny, and the infuriating sting in her eyes as she remembers that piece being played in a different room and time and her brother's voice asking her opinion.

Forcing herself a step forward, Clea stops again, inhaling a breath when she sees who is behind the instrument. Who is not Verso, and cannot be Verso. And indeed, it isn't. It's worse. A copy of a copy. How it was done doesn't matter. They copied. Maman's. work.

She feels an urge to use the wine bottle in her hand as a cudgel.

Is this to taunt her? It will not work.

Instead of giving in to her anger and potentially satisfying someone who wishes to witness it, Clea sets the wine bottle down on a nearby table and begins to dance.

She hasn't danced since Verso died. Every step feels as though her feet are being impaled by knives, her chest constricting and making it hard to breathe. But even so, each movement makes Clea feel lighter, burdens easing with every outstretched limb, vision and focus narrowing only to the dance's execution. Everything falls away, and Clea turns her face up toward the ceiling, letting her burdens fall away and wash off the elegant line of her body to the ground.

For a few minutes, Clea is free. Clea is at peace.

Once the music, and the dance, are complete, Clea picks up the bottle of wine and resumes her walk across the room, intent on finding somewhere to rest for... perhaps 15 or 20 minutes. To drink water. Any more wine without a break and she would become inappropriate. ]
keepitgoing: (pic#17191104)

ticket counter

[personal profile] keepitgoing 2025-06-25 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Whoa now, he hasn't seen someone from his world in a good while outside of Loki. Avengers and Avengers-adjascent folks are obviously just too busy back home to get abducted into a bubble city by some mysterious, omnipresent being. Yelena and Natasha had vanished a while back, and he'd sworn off waiting and hoping for a familiar face to spare him the stress of being on look-out, but...

But that's Thor. That's definitely Thor.

And he's just Peter Parker, standing at the ticket booth beside Thor.

What time did he come from? Is he from after Thanos? Before? Did he even remember him? Peter had only gotten to meet him in person kinda, and that was during Tony's funeral — which is a frankly terrible time to meet your heroes. And, y'know. Peter Parker no longer exists not so long after said funeral....

... Sorry. He is very clearly starstruck to silence for a moment.]


Honestly, I was gonna totally clean out their glowsticks and sparklers.

[It would be fun to recycle the glowsticks into chemiluminescent supplies. Glowing web fluid might be useful in really weird but absolutely possible circumstances.]
repaintress: by betenoir (Haughty)

The Haunted Hotel

[personal profile] repaintress 2025-06-25 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Clea's eyes are closed, but she is not sleeping. Sleep is not yet necessary, but a slight respite until it becomes feasible to resume drinking and dancing is. The false stars on the way to the hotel are ridiculous - worse even than Verso's childhood attempts - the costume that the attendant wears is hideous and not at all evocative of the graceful birds Clea had ridden earlier, and she would call the 'decorations' childish but that would be an insult to the aesthetic sensibilities of the average child.

It is, however, quiet. Rather than go up to 'her' room, Clea has opted to sprawl in a chair in a dark corner. The day is young, but she is nearly 30 and needs a break.

Not having recognized the voice that's speaking yet through the haze of her drinks, Clea answers honestly, and impulsively.]


I think the adjective 'garish' could be well described by a picture of this venue.