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etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
etrayamods) wrote in 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 ⏴ 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! |
no subject
Their circumstances are what they are, whatever pain and hardship come with them. ]
No, for that is not our reality.
[ His tone is even, but someting ruminative seeps into the edges of his words when he speaks again. ]
Though I expect we shall be the last.
no subject
You’re pretty straight forward, aren’t you?
[Clive nods.]
That’s the goal. Our world has had enough of Bearers, Dominants, and magic. It’s long passed time for something new.
[Clive pauses for a moment, staring at the man across from him.]
Thank you. For helping us.
no subject
[ Dion says the words with the air of a reminder, of something he may have told himself countless times to no avail. Even so, even still, he knows the words are true. It's simply difficult to hold onto them in the face of so much regret.
But he does not regret what he is, only what he has and has not done with it. They are as they are, and being thus means they can act for their people. ]
You needn't thank me for doing what I should... What I should have perhaps done sooner, when first your brother asked. But I can no more change that than the rest.
[ He punctuates the words with a small, wry smile as though to wordlessly say there are things I ask myself too. ]
no subject
I think that is a part of being human. But we can also focus on what we can change.
[Clive gives Dion's shoulder a gentle squeeze before letting go.]
I am going to thank you every time. Every time you make the decision to fight alongside us, to help us make what we believe in a reality, I am going to thank you. Because you don't have to, but you still are.
no subject
He has little time to think on it as Clive lets go and continues speaking. What is he to say to all of that? Dion huffs out a sigh with a helpless shake of his head. ]
It is a decision I only needed to make once.
[ He knows it is a kindness, what Ifrit is saying to him. Dion appreciates the gesture, he does, but it remains his duty. Ifrit and the Phoenix remain his comrades. It isn't a succession of choices in his eyes, because— ]
I have committed to this course.
no subject
You are a rare one, Prince Dion. Very few people have as much dedication and conviction as you.
no subject
Your eyes are kinder than I deserve, Ifrit.
[ His voice is smaller and quieter than he intends, knowing his failings as well as he does. Would that he could have done more and better.
He clears his throat quietly. ]
But have you any questions for me? I've been here longer.
no subject
I do, actually. Though they are mostly logistics. Is Etraya at all similar to this place?
no subject
I'd call them quite different. Some structures, from worlds with more advanced technology than ours, may have bright displays such as these.
[ He lifts an open hand toward the blazing brightness of the lights, the riot of noise and color, all of it. ]
But not in so great a concentration nor quantity.
no subject
You told me that Stonhyrr was also in Etraya. Do you know how the world is able to perform such feats?
[And if this world could do things like that, why was it struggling to support the needs of other worlds? Maybe that is a question for later.]
no subject
[ His tone is weighted with implication. They are known, at least by Aurora and this mysterious ECHO. When Dion had arrived in Aphaia, information about him had been announced to a worldwide audience.
It may well be that they need provide very little but paying the appropriate price. ]
Doubtless, it is an imitation, but a convincing one.
no subject
Could they not use this power to help preserve the worlds that need it?
[Though Clive could see the reasoning in making a strange place more comfortable for those pulled into it. He knows from experience that soldiers are more effective when they are rested and as comfortable as they can be.]
I do wonder how much it costs them to bring us here. Clearly, the gains outweigh the costs, or there would be no point, but still.
no subject
[ Dion regrets the sound of the words even as he says them, but he was dropped into Aphaia as his first mission. It would make a certain terrible sense if those in charge of this effort had finite resources that, on the scale of worlds, may only extend so far.
That would not stop people like them from trying to change things, just as he and Joshua had during their time there. Yet looking at the perspective of those weighing the worth of their worlds is something they must try to do for any such efforts to be effective. ]
The price of our arrivals is necessary... And surely of far lesser weight than the whole of a world.
no subject
There isn't much we can do about it now, save for focus on what is in front of us.
[Clive looks around at the lounge.]
I probably shouldn't get used to it being as simple as this, should I?
no subject
[ Though this does remind him, perhaps he ought to mention— ]
There is a red chocobo wandering about Etraya, however.
[ There are chocobos. ]
no subject
[Clive's wandering gaze snaps back to Dion.]
A red chocobo. And no one has gotten hurt?
[Wait a second...]
And why are there chocobos at all?
no subject
[ He taps the comm device on his ear lightly. It took him some time to adjust to its simple existence and yet more time to explore it, but he has been able to observe this since that time. ]
They appear to alternate between more intensive missions and... [ What does he even call not-training-camp, with that ridiculous uniform he was required to wear? The indignity of those tiny shorts... ] Simpler ones.
[ He'll settle with that. ]
To my knowledge, none were injured by the chocobo. The trolley was damaged — a caravan requiring no beast to pull it — but it was repaired. As to why...it seems our host attempts to populate this world with familiar wildlife.
no subject
[If they are going to be here for a while, Clive notes that he needs to adjust to what he sees. It is loud, smells strange, and he is overwhelmed, but if that isn't going to change, then he has to.]
The more you tell me about this place, the more interested I am in seeing it.
[Clive closes his eyes for a moment and takes a breath.]
Is the Blight there, too?
no subject
[ Dion quietly agrees. After the overstimulating assault on the senses that was Aphaia, this has been less difficult to adjust to, but it takes time nevertheless. Their world has nothing resembling the advancements of Etraya, or even the concept of many of them.
At least they aren't alone in this reality. ]
There is no Blight in Etraya. Moreover, I've neither seen nor heard any reference it, when others speak of their homes.
[ It would seem their world is uniquely unfortunate when it comes to that. ]
no subject
Small mercies, I suppose.
[Clive picks at the skin around his fingernails, staring out at the dancers on the stage.]
This is a lot to digest.
[Another pause.]
Where are you staying in Etraya? I want to make sure I can find you when we get there.
no subject
Then there is the sheer scale of the reality with which they're faced. ]
I've no preference of amenities, so I've been staying in one of the apartments Lady Aurora provides.
[ He shrugs, a small rise and fall of his shoulders. That they are provided with lodgings at all is a courtesy he doesn't fail to appreciate. ]
Though I confess it takes adjusting to. The lights...hum. A low, constant buzz. Others do not appear to take notice.
no subject
Can you use lanterns instead or is this a problem in all places with lights like -
[Clive gestures in a vaguely circular motion.]
All of these?
no subject
I have heard the sound wherever such technology is used, though how noticeable it is varies.
[ He suspects it's a sensitivity owed to being unaccustomed, for others don't seem to take notice or grow distracted by it. ]
Not all buildings use such lights. Most that do aren't so...colorful.