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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! |
spoilerssssss
[ It probably isn't. He feels weird and dizzy and slightly clammy in a way that makes him think the blood has probably rushed out of his face. Still, he waves a hand at Verso and braces himself on the other, trying to catch his breath.
Will the Gommage take him here? It's a rapid, hazy thought. What happens to his chroma if he dies in this place?
Can he die again?
He shakes his head, stubborn, and glances over to direct a wan, slightly crooked smile at Verso. ]
It's Gustave, by the way. So you know, in case I pass out before I get the chance to tell you.
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[ He attempts to offer a small joke to him. However, his smile only lasts for a short while before he's back to his nervous grimace.
Coming to a decision, he leans in; he softens his voice as he tries to give something (strength? support? admission of guilt?). Verso can't say that he's certain but still he tries to make eye contact with him: ]
-- you're going to be all right, Gustave. Even if you pass out, you'll be fine.
[ His hands on his shoulders give another small squeeze. ]
Okay? You can trust me.
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...and then stays there a moment, resting. ]
They had me in the arena before this—
[ Thus, the field dressing level of healing taking a beating. Adrenaline had pushed him through, but he's feeling the lack of it now, weary and aching.
But he still manages another smile, one warm enough to crinkle the corners of his eyes as he takes in Verso's worried expression. ]
I'm glad you're here. I'd be entirely useless on my own, I think.
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[ His words are absentminded. More attempting to make a connection than attempting to add anything to the conversation. His eyes drift over all the injuries that Gustave has. ]
Hey -- [ Verso starts to say before he realizes he's wearing the sash. His eyes widen as he flicks his gaze to the man's face. How lucky can a person be? Lucky enough that he can still hide what he knows. ] -- you're an expeditioner. For those who come after, right? How could you be useless?
[ Sweat runs down his neck as he manifests his dagger. He pulls his hand carefully off the man's shoulder before cutting the sash off his arm. Involuntarily, he feels his shoulders lower but he carefully cuts the badge off the material. Tucks it into his pocket. ] Come on -- little field bandaging will help before we keep shuffling along, no? [ He shows off the cut pieces as he attempts to do just as he said -- wrap his wounds with Maelle's sash and hide it was ever hers in the first place. ]
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... What?
[ Maelle's tear-streaked face, her fists slamming against the glowing walls of her painted cage. Run. Please run.
He can feel a cold bead of sweat trickle down his neck, but he can't tell if it's real, or if it's the sweat he'd felt there in that cave, humid salt air kissing his skin, the sharp calls of seabirds lost on the breeze. The sound of waves smashing against glossy black basalt. His vision fading.
Verso leans to bandage his wounds, and only then does he shake himself loose of the memory that had gripped him, finding as he does that his breath is coming a little too fast. ]
Yeah. I... yeah. Right, of course.
[ He shakes his head, a small, short gesture as he blinks like he's trying to clear haze from his eyes, flicks his glance up to Verso. ]
That'll help. Thanks.
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It's not just out of kindness to let the man process on his own, but ensuring that he's still too far away to see the number on the badge. He wonders what Gustave is aware of, but guilt crawls up the back of his throat.
They all thought of you still. Right until the end. You walked with them. They carried you the whole way.
Thoughts and words come to him that he's unsure he'll ever be able to say. Is it kind to tell a dead man how loved he was? Does that make it easier? Verso has a unique perspective and even he isn't sure.
But the record skip doesn't last for long and the man is back with him. He lightly pats where he put the makeshift bandages, making sure they're on him. Maelle's sash. She was able to fix you up. I think she'd be happy-- His eyes flicker to make eye contact with him. ]
You're welcome. We're in this together, right?
[ A light pat on his shoulder as he offers his arm. ] Come on -- I won't carry you this time. But I won't have you shuffling without support, all right?
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[ Are they? They must be; Verso's the only other expeditioner — the only other person he can visibly tell is from his world, from Lumière — here. That must make them allies, surely, particularly when Verso has only helped him, thus far.
Gustave draws himself a little more strongly upward, visibly grasping at the frayed ends of himself, drawing himself together as he nods, more certain. ]
Yeah. We're in this together. Nice to know we've at least got one other person here on our side, right?
[ He reaches for Verso's shoulder, steadying himself. The man is solid, stable, clearly capable: if something comes at them, Gustave feels reasonably confident he'll be able to react easily enough. And if nothing does, he thinks Verso will be able to support him long enough for them to find help. ]
Thanks.
[ He glances over, a smile tugging up one corner of his mouth, crinkling his eyes, despite the pain and exhaustion. ]
You're a pretty handy guy to have around, aren't you?
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[ His smile is quick, like a flash of something shining in the dark. A casual agreement that it's nice there is at least one person on his side. Isn't that the other reason that he enlisted Monoco?
But here? Is Gustave on his side? Only for as long as he doesn't know the truth, he supposes. Another soft smile. Is Verso only on his own side? He supposes, too, that he might be. ]
It's the least I can do. [ He says instead of: "you're welcome." ] Well, I certainly try to be. [ Handy. Useful. Helpful. ]
Guess that means that you're going to keep me, hm?
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[ Which isn't quite the same thing, but it's better than saying you're the only recognizable person here. They aren't from the same Expedition, they don't know each other; he's grasping at straws in an attempt to stave off the crushing sense of isolation he can feel hovering just behind him, dogging his steps, waiting. Maelle, Sciel, Lune... none of them are here. Aside from this man with his strange, unfamiliar uniform, he's alone.
Expedition Zero. How is that possible? (How is this?) ]
You came from Expedition Zero? From the year 100?
[ Straight from the Fracture to... this, that's got to be a shock. He shuffles next to Verso, breathing hard, but beneath the fog of everything his mind still whirls, trying to piece things together, hungry for information. As it does, something else surfaces, something he'd heard but hadn't thought much of at the time.
His brow crinkles as he looks over. ]
Verso. Esquie's... best friend, Verso?
[ This can't be him, can it? ]
The one he used to fly with?
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[ Even if it isn't quite the same thing, he agrees readily.
He blinks first before turning toward him, not fully aware of when he started looking ahead instead of at the man next to him: ]
That's right, and come on. [ He does as he said he would, offer a means for Gustave to balance as they head toward the exit to find someone to help him rather than have the man shuffle unaided.
There is a beat when he hears how his name is spoken. He pauses yet again before trying to remember to breathe and keep walking. His eyes roll about as he doesn't think Esquie said too much about him. ... did he? He told him to not talk about the whole "cousin" situation to the Expeditioners. It would confuse and upset them.
It's a few beats before he settles, eases back into a casual walk: ]
No, you're right... that was me.
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That's... incredible.
[ But he can't get into the nuances of statistical likelihood just now; he has some unfortunate news to impart to this man who has been nothing but kind to him. ]
I wish I could tell you things had changed much since Expedition Zero set out, but... no one else has ever made it back to the Monolith.
[ He gives Verso a small, crooking smile, exhausted and tight with pain, but still sympathetic. It seems he isn't the only one who's finding out some unhappy truths. ]
But you should know that sixty-seven years later, Esquie is still talking about you.
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However, his eyebrows furrow almost immediately when Gustave starts talking about how nothing has changed since Expedition Zero. He can't help how his face scrunches up in bemusement before he realizes Gustave's confusion. ]
It's --
[ What should he say? He knows? He was at one time the reason why so many Expeditions failed? Should he --
-- his gaze drops away as his mouth twists into something close to a grimace. The guilt feels like it is rotting his insides but what can he do? What would alleviate it? The truth?
Is that just self-satisfying for him? To make himself feel better than offer any sense of hope to someone? Can't he let Gustave hope? ]
-- no, I'm aware he's still talking about me. I'm actually still alive... sixty-seven years later. [ And he smiles. ] ... we'll have a lot to talk about but for right now, how about we get you fixed up, hm?
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Can't be possible, surely. If nothing else, the Gommage should have taken him long ago, and he doesn't look any older than Gustave himself, his features still young beneath the scar that drags over his eye and cheek. Gustave stares at him in blank astonishment, and words only don't pile up to stumble off his tongue because, for a long moment, he simply can't think of any. ]
... you look remarkably good for an old man.
[ It's a little weak; he thinks, distantly, that he might have reached the limit of strangeness that he can deal with today. But he's already managed to open his eyes again in some other world after being struck down in his own... is this really so much odder?
But Verso gives him an out, with that warm smile, and he huffs a disbelieving laugh, one hand covering the wound at his side, the other still gripping Verso's arm, giving him something to lean on, helping him keep his balance. ]
...yeah. Yeah, probably a good idea. And then I'd like to hear the story of how you've managed to survive since the Fracture, without aging at all or being taken by the Gommage.
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[ Another smile, another laugh. ]
I'll tell you all the stories you want, Gustave.
[ The two of them are on borrowed time. One more than the other. He isn't sure which one of it that is, however. Yet he thinks that he'll answer as much as he can to Gustave; he owes him that much. But there is still too much he can't say for the sake of the man so loved by others. Why break his heart when it's what gave others so much hope? ]
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Between the two of us, I think you've got all the good looks just now.
[ Amused, just going with what he's certain is just Verso teasing, giving him some light-hearted jokes so he doesn't think too much about his battered body, about what happened right before he came here.
(Maelle, is Maelle all right, what happened, did Lune and Sciel and Esquie get her free, is she safe?)
He takes a shuddering breath, lets it out as slowly as he can. ]
I'm looking forward to it.
[ His brow rucks up, he shakes his head, snorting a soft breath out of his nose, more to himself than to Verso as they shuffle onward. ]
Expedition Zero. Really?