TDM 008

[etrayamods]

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⏴

Comments

[nottheboss]

Arrival

It must have been a dream. The flames and the pain and the boot on his chest, it must have been a dream.

But he can't square that with how he's now here in a snowy mountaintop chasing down a giant chicken. It has a saddle and he needs a ride so fuck it, he's going to ride a chicken and maybe it'll keep him warm. It's only after he catches up to it and mounts up that he realizes there's something bigger out there....

Gold Saucer

When he realizes it's a game he wanders the perimeter of the place, trying to get a sense of things. He's hungry but he refuses to be put in a dress (not so much out of resentment for the dress as not wanting to lose his uniform and armor). When he figures out how to sneak in the back way he dons part of the bunny costume and washes dishes, stealing bits of food as they come back on half-eaten platters.

Haunted Hotel

It's all overwhelming. He finally retreats, shaking, to the hotel and gets a room for himself. He's asleep when the door bangs and he jerks upright, rushing out into the hall to find it empty. Instead of going back to bed though he wanders the halls, investigating.

[fortitudosalutis]

He’s been playing this game of Etraya’s long enough to roll with the chaos, note or less, but this isn’t Carver’s idea of a good time. Nothing’s seriously tried to kill or maim him in more than a month, a fact that probably puts someone, somewhere, at ease, but not Carver. It speaks to ill things, a looming escalation. Anything good will be turned against them before the end.

But the task stands. He always goes on patrol whenever there’s a new location, sussing out new faces and new threats just in case. You have to know what you’re dealing with. And there’s always a part of Carver that wonders, achingly, if he’ll ever see his brothers and sisters again.

He hasn’t yet. Not a single one, or even any of his enemies. But God, you have to try. A haunted house hotel is only the latest bout of strangeness, but Carver accepts it as best he can. He doesn’t intend to sleep in this place—or sleep at all—but it’s on his list to check so it has to be checked. The noise and deep shadows have him on edge from the start, one hand drifting instinctively the gun at his side when a door slams open and a figure bolts out.

Carver goes very still. The moment has a dreamlike quality to it. He can’t always trust himself. “Bossie?”

[nottheboss]

Bossie turns sharp, reaching for the knife he stole out of the kitchen.

"Carver?" A deep flood of relief followed by only more confusion. "What the fuck is going on, Carver?"

For a moment he forgets he's hunting.

[fortitudosalutis]

It’s strange to face a ghost head on like this. Usually, they’re haunting the corners. A flash of black, the shine of boots. No faces. Maybe the shine of Pope’s glasses or a flicker of Leah’s hair, now gone gray. Nothing that looked him directly in the eye like Bossie does.

Carver steps forward, wary. “How long you been here?”

[nottheboss]

"A couple hours." Why is Carver looking at him like that?

"What's wrong?"

[fortitudosalutis]

A couple hours. Not long. It happens like that sometimes, he knows logically. But he can’t help but look at Bossie and see the ruin of him that Carver buried out in the woods. There’d been nothing left of his face. Nothing at all.

He steps closer still. “You hurt?”

[nottheboss]

He nods shakily, then shakes his head no. He was in pain. He's not now and he doesn't know how that happened.

He's tensed to run and doesn't know why.

"What's happening? Where are we?"

[fortitudosalutis]

Carver swallows hard. Okay. He has to step up now. Bossie needs him steady, focused. There’s no room for fuck ups, not anymore. “Let’s go back inside so you can show me. It’s a long story, little brother.”

[nottheboss]

Little brother.

Maybe he hasn't been exiled then. Maybe Carver isn't here to finish whatever that fight with Pope was about.

He swallow uneasily and leads Carver back to his room.

"How long you been here?"

wildcard - hi hello 👀

[ornithologist]

It's some time after Bossie arrives and meets up with Carver and gets the lay of the land, so to speak, that Harold runs into him. When he does, it's not a coincidence, though he intends to pretend it is. Harold has some surveillance established by now even if it's not as extensive as he'd usually like, and he's had his own conversation with Carver.

That's why he comes ambling along with Bear deliberately in tow, taking Carver's warnings about potential lethal violence seriously. Bear is a sleek and muscled Belgian Malinois trotting along at Harold's side on a black leather leash, his pace restrained and slow to keep even with Harold's heavy, uneven limp. He has extensive spinal injuries and even beyond his physical limitations, he's not typically prepared to defend himself. He's a nearly sixty-year-old man in a three-piece suit with a pocket square and brimmed hat hobbling along with a significant physical disability.

Hence the protection dog.

He has a shopping bag in his free hand, the one not holding the leash, and he's making his way through the initial layer of the concealed entrance to the subway hideout. The entrance is down a set of discreet and shabby stairs to a broken vending machine, which requires a code punched into it in order to open and reveal the longer set of better-kept stairs riddled with traps to the actual abandoned subway station.

He's not sure he'll run into the new arrival here, but dropping off another round of supplies at the entrance is a convenient way to bump into him without revealing his penchant for surveillance. Harold does not attempt entry through the vending machine; he just awkwardly levers himself down the initial set of stairs, Bear patient with his slowness.

He calls out, "Mr. Carver? Please don't stab me, I have beer."

Some light morbid humor probably wouldn't be remiss if he is there, lurking in the shadows. Harold is confident Bear won't attack anyone unprovoked but he's not so sure of their new resident.

Hello there!

[nottheboss]

Bossie has grown used to the noises of the abandoned subway, enough that he's waiting with a knife when he hears something unfamiliar.

But then the intruder wisely speaks up and he lowers it back to his hip.

"Shit we get room service down here?" He calls back, and makes his way closer.

A man with a dog and a limp. The dog could be a problem, but the limp is handy-

He shuts that thought down hard.

"Who are you?"

[ornithologist]

Indeed, Bear is alert and watchful, focused on the stranger but too well-trained to betray any signs of aggression.

"My name is Harold Finch," he says politely. "And I suspect you are... Bossie? Is that your last name?" Because yes, he really does intend to call him by it with the correct form of address attached. No matter what circumstances he's in, Harold will attempt for courtesy if he can.

There's no need to be rude.

[nottheboss]

One of Carver's people. One with, he thinks, perhaps more authority than the others.

"Yeah, Bossie." He thinks maybe it would be polite to give his first name but no one but his brothers calls him that.

"You wanna crack open a beer?" He motions. "Carver stepped out but he should be back soon."

[ornithologist]

Harold didn't go looking for that authority, but something about his resolute, unflappable self-assurance seems to attract a certain kind of person. Namely, people with horrifying capacity for violence who've been badly treated by their superiors.

He certainly isn't going to call him by his first name in any case, so he just nods, concealing a grimace at the suggestion. Harold does not like beer, but this is someone important to Carver, and he understands a social overture when he hears one. Even if that overture is to have a beer in a run-down Chinatown basement full of scattered trash to obscure the hideout. He won't presume to ask Bossie bring him beyond the traps to the safehouse proper; he's an inveterate paranoid himself.

"Very well. One moment." He reaches down and unclips Bear's leash, saying, "Bewaker."

Bear wags his tail briefly, then sets off in a cautious slink to sniff around the perimeter of the room, keeping a wary eye on Bossie.

"Bear will let us know if anyone approaches," Harold explains simply, and takes one step forward to offer out the shopping bag. It has several kinds of beer as well as some snacks appropriate for a bar, nuts and pretzels and the like. "Would you like to pick?"

[nottheboss]

He picks a huckleberry ale. It's still beer but flavored, he figures. (Does anyone like beer? Austin had, but Austin was a nut.)

This is as far as he'll take anyone and they have a dog guarding them so he doesn't feel bad indulging in a drink.

"I haven't seen one of those in a while," he nods at Bear. "How'd you get him?"

[ornithologist]

"A friend gave him to me," he says ambiguously, choosing not to explain any aspect of who John Reese is, or why he'd thought Harold needed Bear.

He sets the rest of the supplies down on the floor and takes his own huckleberry ale, brows creasing as he examines the bottle. It is the type of thing Harold would pick out: quirky, artistic, interesting.

"You were in the Army with Mr. Carver, correct? Bear was a military dog before Mr. Reese recovered him from some deplorable white supremacists."

He's not shy about that much, that's for sure.

[nottheboss]

Bossie leans against the wall and watches Harold for the first sign of trouble.

But he's immediately distracted with trying to croon to Bear, "You had to help Nazis? Oh, buddy... You poor guy. Fuck those guys." He looks up at Harold. "We had dogs like him before. But uh, not in a while. I like dogs though. Especially malinois."

That's good right? They can connect over dogs. That's a start. Maybe Carver would be proud of him, he hasn't stabbed anyone and they're just talking. Sharing a beer, even.

haunted hotel

[cactusy]

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.

Re: haunted hotel

[nottheboss]

He stops short. His hands are raised slightly, just bordering on defensive. Bordering on offensive, too, if he wanted to lash out.

"Yeah," he says warily. "Where's it coming from?"

[cactusy]

"Beats me," she says wearily. "I was hoping it was someone coming to tell me the mission was over. You see anything out here?"

[nottheboss]

His hand twitches, flexes into a fist, relaxes again. "What mission?"

[cactusy]

"The-- are you new?"

She looks him up and down. She certainly doesn't recognize him, but that doesn't mean much.

[nottheboss]

He doesn't want to admit to it, thinks it must be a disadvantage. But there's no way to hide that he has no idea what the fuck is going on.

"I just got here," he says grudgingly. "I'm supposed to be waiting for my brother. The hell is happening?"

[cactusy]

Oh, boy. Shaw rolls her eyes up to the sky, taking a deep breath. If there were anyone else near by she'd try to pass him off, let someone else who's more suited to the task take charge of explaining things to the stressed-out new guy, but since it's the middle of the night and they're alone in the hallway...

"We're, uh-- we're running missions, weird missions, to be good representatives of our homes and prove that they're worthy of being saved," she says, fully aware of how batshit this explanation must seem, particularly if he's as new as she suspects. "It's just as messed up as it sounds. Listen, have you seen your brother here, or were you in a place that you recognized the last time you saw him?"

[nottheboss]

"I've seen him here. Brandon Carver." He watches her, watches for signs she recognizes it. Signs that she might recognize Carver as an enemy, because that's all the Reapers have been for so long.