etrayamemes | TDM 008

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 ⏴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⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes sir," he whispers and then straightens up. "Yeah, man, I'm good. I'm good now."

Another slow breath.

"We really going to sleep on beds tonight, huh?" He's skeptical. He's slept too many years on the ground.

“Good man,” Carver murmurs, squeezing the back of Bossie’s neck. Only then does he step back.

It’ll be okay, he tells himself. They’re steadier now. They’ll come up with a plan.

“Tonight, yeah,” Carver agrees, puffing out a breath. “We’ll take shifts. When’s the last time you slept?”

"Yesterday but I'm good right now." He's not sure he wants to dream again. If that was a dream. "I can take first watch. When's the last time you slept? Shit, seems like you're always awake, Carve."

"I'm fine. Wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyway. I was making a patrol circuit."

Taking in the new environment, watching for new faces. He's made it a routine now, settling himself inside the shape.

Carver puffs out a breath.

"Tomorrow, I'll get you a real meal. A hot meal. Yeah? But do me a favor and get some sleep first."

"No way, man, we're both getting shut eye tonight," Bossie says. "You got me watching your back now. Means you can take a load off."

He gives him a hopeful little smile. "Then we can patrol and get some chow."

"Brat," Carver drawls, quietly and fiercely fond. He can still smell Bossie burning. Feel the grease of it against his face. The noise he made -

No.

It never happened. And it won't ever happen here. He'll kill the world before he lets it.

"Fine. But I'm still taking first watch. Rest." He makes a face at Bossie. "Don't make me wrestle you down."

Bossie, miraculously, manages a laugh. It's almost a giggle, still full of nerves, but Carver always makes things right.

"Yeah, okay. You win. You get first watch." He leans down to undo his boots. Sets them right next to the bed, where he can grab them even in the dark.

"I kept thinking out there...Goddamn. Austin would love this place."

This is better, Carver thinks. He sits up by the headboard, silently encouraging Bossie to lie down next to him. It might be a bad night. He can't be sure what Bossie remembers, but the tension is there. It lives in their bones, in their dreams whenever they manage to collapse long enough to dream. And it's always worse when the commander's disappointed. Bossie sleeps worse than a lot of the others, too.

Best not to think about it, Carver decides. Best not to borrow trouble. Tonight could be fine.

He snorts at the thought of Austin here, though. "Shiiit. We'd be dragging his ass out within an hour. He'd be naked and covered in glitter, with our luck."

He lays his knife on the bedside table. Lays his head next to Carver's lap. Wants to lay his head on Carver's lap, but that's probably not allowed. Not after he cried. Carver saw him break.

He focuses on thoughts of Austin. It makes him smile a little. "Can you imagine? Fuck we'd never get him to leave. He'd make us dance with him."

Quietly, Carver marks where Bossie lays the blade down. How fast he'd need to be to wrestle Bossie down if little brother lunges for it. It wouldn't be the first time. You have to be practical about this shit.

At least here, nobody's likely to notice if Bossie wakes up screaming. No one's going to punish them for it.

He lays his hand very gently on top of Bossie's head. If they don't comment on it, it's like it didn't happen. "God, he would. And I don't do stripper dances."

"Liar," he grins up at him, bratty. "You'd be great on a pole, man. I can picture it."

But he leans into that touch. It sends little tingles down his spine, the reverse of paranoia. This floods him with a certainty that he's safe.

Fuck, he's touch starved. But that's a sign of piety isn't it?

Carver snorts, making another face at Bossie. It's almost strange how easy it is to fall back into old patterns, that back and forth they developed more than a decade ago in Korengal. He can't remember when he decided that Bossie was his responsibility, only that it's began there and it's been true ever since.

It's true, too, that Carver failed him. Couldn't keep him steady enough under the commander's eye, couldn't keep him away from the fire.

Carver swallows past that anxiety. He won't let it happen here. He swears on his soul. "You better be giving me tips in that picture," he warns, mock-offended. "Lots of tips. Go to sleep, kid."

Bossie grins at him again, mischievous. Yeah he'd give Carver tips.

He closes his eyes obediently and turns onto his side to use his arm as a shield against the low light from the window.

He's half asleep when the ghost comes again, pounding on the door, sending Bossie up onto his feet, grappling for his knife.

For a little while, it's quiet. Even peaceful. Carver leans back against the headboard and slows his breathing down, trying to think about what the fuck he's supposed to do now. Keep Bossie with him. Try and explain what he can of this place and the new rules here. Keep the kid steady until they figure out a new system, a new routine.

He's going to have to talk to Harold and the others about this, he realizes, and starts typing messages. And that's going to be another uneasy conversation with Bossie later on. They haven't had allies for years, not until Dixon, and that blew up bad on them.

Tomorrow, Carver decides. They'll face it one piece at a time. And he settles too, calm and quiet, until the door slams open. Carver draws his sidearm, ready -

It's a trick. Another goddamn game.

"Bossie!" he barks. "Stand down!"

Stand down.

What the fuck does that even mean?

He looks back at Carver, and his knife is in his hand. "Come on we can catch the fucker-"

"It's a trick," he snaps, pulling Leah's sergeant voice. The one that books no argument. He lowers his sidearm, flicking the safety back on. "It's not worth the energy. They like tricks here."

Breathe, Carver tells himself, and he breathes. He does it slow and steady so Bossie will have something to mirror.

He lowers his blade. Slams the door shut and comes back to Carver.

"The fuck is going on here?" And right now he's just tired and feeling ghostly pain and he wants one thing, just one, to make sense.

Yeah. He knew this was coming. There's only so long he can get away with putting it off before it becomes a worse lie than the one he's already told. And they swore to be honest with each other, to be true and loyal the way the Army never was. What would he be if he broke that oath now?

Carver scrubs at his face and sits on the edge of the mattress. Exhaling through his teeth.

"We've been pulled here by an AI to serve as representatives for our world," Carver explains flatly. "To save our world. And I woke up here after I got a blade through my heart, so believe me when I say I know how insane that sounds."

Bossie sits there, looking at Carver, knife in hand still. Ready for a fight.

But Carver says there is no fight so belatedly he sets it down. Then picks it up again because he feels weak without it.

Carver got a blade through his heart? No. Carver's the best fighter he knows. The one who trained him.

And there's no chance AI, artificial or not, would choose David Bossie to save a world.

"Brandon," he says quietly, pleading. "Tell me the truth."

"I am."

He scrubs at his face again, then forces himself to drop his hands and meet Bossie's gaze straight on. No more dodging. They don't have to talk about the thing with Pope, the thing that Carver won't let happen, but the rest?

The rest is intelligence that he needs to give his operator, otherwise they'll both suffer for it.

"The AI sends us out on jobs. It's almost like a gameshow. We prove we can do it, we save our world. Supposedly. And maybe that's a lie, but I don't know what they're hiding or why, and I remember dying, little brother. The enemy gets through the gate. They got me on the ground. I remember that."

Carver shakes his head.

"And then I woke up here and there's not even a scar. But I owe the others. We're gonna make it back to them, even if it's just to bury them proper."

He shakes his head no. No, Carver didn't die. The others didn't either. The last he knows they were all fine except Mikey.

They're here to save the world? Focus, goddammit. Don't be a bitch.

"What do we have to do?"

Carver lays his hands on his knees, keeps his back straight. He breathes out slow.

"We get our orders," he says slowly, "and we work with the people here. Can you do that for me, Bossie? I need to know right now if you can't."

He looks at Carver, trying to guess if this is a real request or a test.

Is he a traitor? Is Carver? He can't tell right now.

So he laughs softly. "You want me to work with the unworthy now?"

"That's the wrong question."

He doesn't bark it out as an order or a reprimand. Just a statement of fact. The rules are different now. It feels unfair but the world is unfair. They have to keep fighting on regardless. That's always been true. He doubts it'll ever change.

"The right question is, can you adapt enough to do what our brothers and sisters need us to do?"

He flexes his hand, nervous. "Carver?" He asks softly. "You mad at me?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject