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]

He grins. "Yeah, it is. It'll show off my legs." He'd considered sneaking into the kitchen again, finding another bit of ridiculous bunny costume, but now he's warming to the dress idea. Maybe it'll make Carver laugh.

[fortitudosalutis]

"Ooh, sexy," Carver drawls, hoping they can still play. That this doesn't have to be life or death this very second. If it's a game, then maybe nobody has to get hurt. "Look at you being industrious."

[nottheboss]

"Almost twenty years and you're still learning new shit about me, huh?" Bossie teases, pulling on his boots. "Careful, I'm gonna make you come with me for breakfast."

[fortitudosalutis]

"I don't think I've got the ass to pull off a dress," Carver drawls, rolling his shoulders. "Hey, you wanna get out of here after coffee?"

Somewhere quieter will be better for both of them, he thinks.

[nottheboss]

"Whatever you got a fine ass," he snorts.

But hell yes does he want to get out of here, away from the noises and the too soft bed. "Where are we going?"

[fortitudosalutis]

"Flattery won't get you out of PT," Carver drawls, pushing himself up with a groan. His back is hurting, he needs to stretch. More than that, he needs to move. "We're gonna go back to where I'm staying. It's quieter."

And secure.

[nottheboss]

He nods. "Your allies going to be there?"

He isn't sure what he feels about that. He hasn't met another person in years.

[fortitudosalutis]

"No. Just me."

That'll need some time, Carver knows. He needs to settle Bossie first, then figure out how to make sure it doesn't go wrong later.

One step at a time, he tells himself.

"I promised you food," he adds. "But we can eat here if you want."

[nottheboss]

He can't hide his relief. He needs more time before he plays nice with strangers.

"Nah I won't make you get out of your armor," he shakes his head. "We'll eat at your place. But I am gonna go get that coffee. Be right back."

He brings a cup for Carver, too, which means when he comes back he's holding his clothes under one arm, and two cups of coffee in each hand.

And he's wearing a red sequined dress with a slit up the thigh.

[fortitudosalutis]

Carver watches him go, worrying, but he doesn't say anything. Just gathers up his weapons and goes through a short PT routine while he waits to settle his nerves. He's in the middle of pushups when the door opens, and Bossie comes in with coffee. And the dress, as promised.

Carver pauses mid pushup. Eyebrows raised. "Huh. Red's your color."

There are sequins.

He stands himself up with a groan, making grabby hands for the coffee. "Caffeine, come to me."

[nottheboss]

"Told you I was hot," Bossie teases, and he kneels in front of Carver and holds out the cup for him. "They had motherfucking sugar, Carve. I added some."

With a little hot coffee in him he feels almost human. Even in his gown.

He strips and changes back into his armor, then balls up the dress. "Fuck it I'm keeping it."

[fortitudosalutis]

Carver takes the coffee, closing his eyes a moment to enjoy the taste. The heat settles in him. A comfort. He doesn't allow himself many these days, but he figures this is good for Bossie to see. Confusing as this place is, not everything about it is awful.

"Go nuts," he drawls. "I'm not stopping you."

[nottheboss]

He doesn't plan on wearing it again, but it's clean cloth and you never know when that comes in handy.

"How far is your place?"

[fortitudosalutis]

"Bit of a ride. We gotta leave here first."

And that's a process. Worthwhile, though. It's not so overstimulating in the subway. There are security measures, some of Carver's own design. Familiar to Bossie, too. He still follows the old protocols.

Carver sips his coffee, watching Bossie. "You good?"

[nottheboss]

He nods, watching Carver, wondering what test Carver will have for him if he says no. "There's nothing coffee can't make better, right? Goddamn I've missed it."

Thinking of tests, "How do you know your allies are worthy?"

[fortitudosalutis]

"Mhmm. Ain't that the truth."

The caffeine helps. He won't deny that. He finishes his coffee and sets the cup aside, motioning for Bossie to follow. Getting back is a process. Best not to dawdle.

"This place tested them. They haven't faltered." He glances at Bossie. "They're not Reapers. I don't want them to be Reapers. But we can't do this alone, understand?"

[nottheboss]

He follows along Carver, grateful to be moving, to be leaving this place with its lights and its shadows and its noises behind.

"How are you supposed to trust someone who hasn't been tested?" Bossie asks, unable to even fathom it anymore. "There's nothing this place can do that's like what Pope taught us."

[fortitudosalutis]

"The missions are different from Pope's."

Half of this is too oblique to be helpful, Carver knows, but he's stuck on how to explain something he barely understands himself. The only thing he can think to do is speak confidently, to give the orders that Bossie can accept and understand, and pray the fallout isn't too brutal.

You have to start somewhere, right?

He walks. Bossie follows. Of course he does.

"A lot of the time we have to work with strangers - civilians," he adds, softer. "And I don't want to but what I want doesn't matter. That's the mission. We have to protect our people and if this is how we do it, then we adapt. It's that simple."

[nottheboss]

Bossie frowns but he nods. Accept the situation or everyone will suffer.

"That's the mission then we'll get it done," he says. "Just tell me what needs doing."

[fortitudosalutis]

"Follow my lead. And when we get new marching orders, you follow those too."

It's a start. They can build from that, can't they?

"I want you to try, with Finch's people. They got skills we don't. Can you do that for me? Can you play nice?"

[nottheboss]

Bossie fidgets, fingering his knife at his side. "What are you worried I'll do, Brandon? That I'll be awkward as fuck or that I'll kill them?"

[fortitudosalutis]

"I can handle awkward. Dealing with bodies puts us at risk."

He tilts his head toward Bossie.

"Nobody stays dead here. We don't need that, okay?"

[nottheboss]

"You can't be serious," he says, pleading a little for Carver to let him in on whatever weird joke he's making. "How many have you killed here?"

[fortitudosalutis]

"None," he replies flatly. It still feels dreamlike to admit that out loud. He's been bloodied, he's won fights, but he's taken no lives.

Pope would've been so disappointed to hear that.

"Adapt or fail. I don't plan on failing our brothers."

[nottheboss]

"Then how do you know people come back?" He's still waiting for this to be a prank. He feels stupid even asking, so he laughs. "I mean- come on. I stick my knife in that guy's head," nodding at another guest, "and he'll just wake up tomorrow?"