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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 / wildcard-ish (lmk if I need to edit!)
Not too far down the hall, there's an open door leading to her room, evidence that she too had been awakened by the thumping on her door. The first thing Fio sees is the man covered in blood and she mistakenly thinks he's the reason for all the disruptive knocking. Instead of being afraid, she wonders if he requires any help. She's not a doctor and she doesn't have any healing abilities... but maybe she can try to track someone down. ]
...Excuse me, was it you knocking on my door? You don't look so good.
it's perfect! sorry for the delay!
Only to drop as he sees the small girl standing there in the middle of the hall. No threat here. He allows a brief moment of relief that he hadn't summoned his sword, his pistol, and gives the girl a small smile. It flickers, but there's warmth behind it.
It's been a long time since Maelle was that small, but some bone-deep reactions never quite go away. ]
No, it wasn't me.
[ He takes a step closer, head tipping to the side as he bends down a little to speak to her. Despite the heightened stress of the moment, his voice is warm and steady. ]
I'll be all right. I'm sorry if I frightened you.
no worries~
Despite the reassurance and warmth in his tone, her concern doesn't fade, full of worry more than fear. ]
But... [ Fio trails off for a moment. Perhaps she should focus on the mysterious knocking which is the main reason she stepped out in the first place, but it's difficult to ignore the blood on his clothing. She wonders what happened, if the cause was from the culprit or something else. She did notice an arena somewhere in the games area outside. ]
Are you sure? We should really find you a healer or a doctor. There's... so much blood on you...
no subject
[ He looks down at himself, reaches to cover the worst of the holes in his blood-stained uniform with his metal left hand. It doesn't really work; if anything, it only calls more attention to the fact that there's an enormous hole in his uniform, presumably matched with what had been an enormous hole in his body beneath. ]
Yeah, there is kind of a lot, I guess. It's... it's okay, I think I'm... better than I was.
[ How isn't really anything he can understand, but going over and over and over it in his mind hasn't done anything but threaten to drive him mad.
He looks behind her, around at the empty hall before turning his attention back on her once more. ]
A doctor might be a good idea. Do you have a, a parent, or maybe a guardian here with you? Someone who might know where to go?
no subject
Um... no, it's... only me here right now.
[ Despite being the one to suggest finding a doctor, she doesn't personally know one to easily contact them. Somehow, this man doesn't sound in as much pain as he should be despite the gaping hole in his clothing and the large amount of blood. Mostly exhausted, it seems? Yet she still wishes to help somehow, looking guilty for being unable to give the immediate attention a doctor would. ]
There's a hospital outside of this place. [ Strange though, because she would assume he would consider checking into a hospital first. Isn't that where all newcomers are supposed to arrive? ] It's just... it's kind of hard to find a way out of here. But we can look together! [ She quickly suggests. She doesn't like feeling useless... ] Maybe we'll find someone...
no subject
Here, he's seen adults of all ages, including some who would have been taken by the Gommage years ago. Why is she alone?
That faint air of uncertainty and guilt catches his attention, and Gustave gives her a small, crooked smile, nodding. ]
Sure. Yeah. Let's go together, and see what we can find.
[ There must be someone here, worried and wandering about looking for her. She can't have come on her own, could she? ]
What's your name? So I know who to thank for helping to get me to a doctor.
no subject
Twice she's already been chided for her solo adventures. There are people here that do care now, including kind strangers. Properly asking someone for company is something she needs to keep in mind for next time. For now, she tries to focus on getting him to a doctor, which is more important to worry about. Maybe they can find a clean set of clothes while they're at it, something that isn't a bizarre prize hopefully... ]
I'm Fio. [ It's hard to tell how injured he actually is. She tries to assist anyway, offering a hand and not really minding the blood. They'll have to navigate their way back out the hotel. ] Can you walk okay?
no subject
[ She looks so much younger than Maelle, younger than his apprentices... maybe about the same age the boys were when he took them on, seven or eight. The children of Lumière have to grow up quickly, more often than not, but he's always wished that didn't have to be the case, even as he enjoyed working with his own mentors and later his apprentices. He blinks, like he's trying to clear his vision, and offers her a small smile as he reaches down to carefully curl the fingers of his right hand — human, warm flesh and blood, unlike the fabricated metal of his left arm and hand — around hers. ]
I'm Gustave. It's nice to meet you.
[ His hand is bloodied, but his grip is warm and gentle as he allows her to lead him where she will, and he shakes his head at her in response to her question. ]
Yeah. Yeah, I can walk okay. Just maybe a little more slowly than usual.
Do you.... do you know where we should go?
no subject
Her small fingers curl around his and she begins to guide him down the hall, slowly. Despite trying to be the reassuring one, it's also a small comfort for her to be walking hand-in-hand like this. The metal hand hasn't gone by unnoticed, her curious eyes briefly drifting over to look at it. A former companion of hers had something similar, though it was not only a prosthetic for the woman's left arm but also another for the leg. What's the story behind this one? ]
I was thinking we should go back to the lobby and I'll... talk to the companion bots. They can help with lots of things, I think. Just let me know when you need to stop and rest.
[ Surely they'll be able to tell her the directions to leave the theme park. It's the best course of action that she can think of taking at the moment. Originally she had come out to the hall to investigate the source of the noise, but it seems the reason has changed. Hopefully whatever was knocking on the doors earlier isn't anything hostile. She doesn't like fighting very much. ]
I'll protect you if anything scary comes.
[ ...While she isn't carrying anything visible for self-defense, she sounds very serious. ]
no subject
[ He means it. It's been a while, but this is not the first young girl who has been very serious about protecting him, and even if she weren't, he isn't the type to talk down to children. His own apprentices were maybe even a little younger than she is when they came into his care; he can clearly remember the solemnity on their little faces, chubby and sweet, barely out of toddlerhood. ]
But let's hope nothing scary comes. You're already doing a lot.
[ Speaking of which...
He glances back, but can't see anything — or anyone — else in the hall. Wherever that knocking sound had come from, it seems to have vanished, or maybe simply have moved on. ]
The companion bots? Those are those strange metal creatures, right?
[ They look a little like some smaller type of Nevron, but don't act anything like them. ]
How do they work, do you know?
no subject
Despite having come face-to-face with more terrifying situations in the past, she still gets frightened deep down. She unconsciously squeezes his hand a little tighter, though not so hard that it would be a painful grip. She doesn't have much physical strength in the first place. ]
Not... really. Someone in the city might know better. Is this your first time seeing them? I've seen some machines where I'm from. They aren't like these ones.
[ Most of them were round, short, and stumpy compared to the companion bots. The ones that she saw on Earth were no longer functional and a depressing sight seeing their bodies scattered around the ground. And there was a little machine that she fondly recalls, one that once guided her through what felt like an endless labyrinth. ]
no subject
He thinks of his apprentices, of Maelle, of Lumiere's many orphaned children, so many without foster homes of their own, and his bruised heart unfurls, warm and sympathetic. ]
My first time, yeah. We don't have anything... quite like them at home. And the things that are a little bit like them aren't very nice.
[ He gives her hand a little squeeze back, as reassuring as he can make it. Regardless of what she's said about protecting him, if anything tries to hurt her, he won't hesitate to step in its way. She isn't Maelle — Maelle isn't here, and he thinks... he hopes that's a good thing, better for her — but there's an aching emptiness in him that can't help but want to help her, protect her. ]
What's it like? Where you come from?
no subject
[ She's only really seen the machine lifeforms in action by peeking through memory records.
As they come up to the corner, Fio comes to a halt. Though such a tiny gesture, it is the helpful, reassuring squeeze around her hand that urges her to continue onward. But she remains cautious as she shuffles forward, peeking around to check if there's anything that might be lurking in the eerie darkness. She looks visibly relieved when she notices there isn't anything but the usual silly spooky decor and the stairs leading back down to the lobby. ]
There's... one other that I know who's kind of like the "bots" here. [ One that's still active. ] She's a smaller machine... and she calls herself Pod. Or Mama. [ A hint of fondness and a small laugh in her voice, briefly forgetting how tense she is in the manor's dark hall. In the short time she knew her, "Mama" was far more caring towards her than her adoptive parents. It made her happy, even if it may have been a little strange hearing a kind, motherly voice coming out from such a tiny robotic creature. ] She'd talk to everyone like she really is their mother.