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etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
etrayamods) wrote in 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 ⏴ 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. 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.
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! |
Haunted House
Sleep is not something that comes to him easily, so he ends up wandering the halls. Either looking "behind the curtains" or finding a spot settle in his thoughts.
Just as Shadow turns a corner, the door opens further down the hallway as Hawks comes out from it. He takes a step back around to hide his presence while Hawks speaks to nothing but air. The hallway is empty, presumably. Should he turn around, he'll see a set of crimson eyes looking out at him from the other end of the dimly lit hallway. If his sillouette can be made out, clearly something not human shape.]
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And he's talking to....nothing?
Hawks looks confused for a brief minute and runs a hand through his hair. ]
Maybe I was still dreaming. [ He murmurs, but that would be a weird dream wouldn't it?
His night vision is not...great. Not without some level of light nearby, and it's dark in that hallway. Still, he can't help but lean back through his doorway and flick the light on.
That's when he sees the eyes. ]
Who's there? [ One foot slides back as he takes a defensive position. ]
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Just passing through. [He says, but he doesn't move. Waiting to see what the other would do.]
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Definitely far too solid and alive to be a ghost at least, even if he doesn't know what kind of person he's looking at. ]
Sorry about that. Something weird is happening...or I'm more tired than I thought.
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It eventually flies back up and then back toward the stranger down the hall. His ears turn as Hawks speaks up a moment later. Was that some kind of reconnaissance device shaped like a feather...?]
Your first mistake was assuming nothing strange happens here. [Were they a new arrival? He'll go ahead and take a few steps, now standing in the hallway itself.]
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Does it? I've never been here before.
[ Coming closer, there's just enough light for Hawks to make Shadow out. He's not surprised, his feather told him a lot, and it doesn't explain what kind of heteromorph he's looking at. That doesn't really matter. ]
I mean this place is pretty creepy, but it's one of the only places I could get out of the game halls.
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When did you get here?
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Guess it fooled me, I don't think I've ever been in such a creepy place. [ Not one that's intentionally creepy, at least. ]
I don't know, maybe twelve hours ago? I tried playing the games until I decided to try and get some rest. Haven't seen a way out.
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[ That's half of about what he's been getting for months, he can handle it. What's a little sleep deprivation? ]
I guess I had better save up for that card they mentioned. Maybe that's the key to getting out.
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...I can show you. [He did manage to locate the exit. Obvious, but also out of the way, easy to miss.]
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That would be great. [ He thinks it's weird he hasn't been able to find one, but it would save time if he was shown directly, right? ]
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Once they're outside, Shadow doesn't waste time getting up into the air, waiting for the other to join him. A better view of the area and they'd be able to just fly to the exit.]
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Hawks follows, and he looks more casual than he should be perhaps. Shadow might be able to catch him yawning once, but when he takes to the air, Hawks whistles. He's impressed.
Naturally he can get in the air, but he's built for it. Shadow must be too - but he couldn't tell. ]
Always nice to appreciate someone who takes a bird's eye view.
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He'll jet off in the direction first, leading the way. It seems far too straight forward, but Shadow had already confirmed it himself that it was an exit to this place.]
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He has no trouble keeping pace with Shadow, he's known for being a speed demon as it is, but getting there is kind of disappointing. ]
...It is, huh. [ Hawks doesn't see an exit. Why, he couldn't say, but he does drop down easily and land with a little hop before tapping on the wall that's before him, tapping around a little bit. On where the door would be and otherwise and he shakes his head. ]
Sounds the same to me.
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The other side cannot be seen, but Shadow will go ahead and demonstrate nothing happens when he puts his hand through it. One look at Hawks and he fully goes through what appears to be a portal to get out of here. Should Hawks try the same thing, he'll be walking into something very solid instead. Like the portal had turned into another part of the wall. Something preventing him from leaving with the hedgehog.]
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But Shadow goes through it and that seems fine, presumably. He does wait a moment, but when Shadow doesn't bounce out or anything ridiculous like that, well, he goes to walk through it.
The fact he's rejected and stumbles back is not half as startling. Hawks takes two steps back, glancing around as he tries to figure out what the problem is. ]
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He's met with resistance as he presses against it like it's an invisible wall. Not even his fingertips get swallowed up. ]
See?
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[ He's not going to be taking up snowboarding anytime soon. No thank you. ]
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Whatever needs to be done here, once it happens, maybe after that you can leave. [He steps back from the portal, looking to up to them.] Were you at least informed of a mission?
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