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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! |
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When he's announced, he steps out to hold his arms out wide to greet the crowd. He does silent crowd work as he walks around the arena -- manifesting dagger and sword; throwing them up to have them burst into chroma; all the little tricks to eat up time while he waits for his second to appear.
Of course, he runs out of stalling tactics and has to pause to glance toward the entrance. His posture changes almost immediately in seeing who comes to join him. He furrows his eyebrows as he glances up toward the higher seats, like he could see who allowed her to join him. But it wouldn't be anyone up there; she came here on her own volition. ]
Hey. [ He greets her with a soft voice. ] It's fine. Stay where it's safe, yeah?
[ Inhaling slowly, he doesn't see any weapons but she soon materializes them. It's different than how he materializes his own, but he does tip his head in acknowledgement. Not quite Pictos or chroma, but -- ] I'll be looking to you for support. [ Verso smiles at her, something wide and accepting.
And his attention returns to the oversized cactus. ] In one fight, we named him 'Swingbloom.' Since this is a new one, why don't you think up a name for our soon to be defeated friend? [ Manifesting sword and dagger in his hand, he leaves the naming to his little companion before he sprints forward to make sure the monster focuses its attention on him. ]
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...Yeah. Don't worry. I promise I won't be a lie- ability.
[ Liability, she means to say. The way she says it sounds kind of... stilted, clearly parroting a word she heard from someone else.
Unlike a seasoned fighter, Fio doesn't ready herself into a battle stance. She simply... stands there, arms resting by her sides, with a small sway to shake off the anxiousness. While she doesn't appear to do anything necessarily special to prepare for her turn, she keeps a close eye on her partner's movements.
The little girl looks seemingly harmless enough that the cactus opts to put its full attention on her companion instead. With the spheres hovering idly by her side, she clearly has something in mind since why would she manifest them in the first place? She will allow her teammate to deal the first strike, waiting for an opening to follow up.
In the meantime, thinking up nicknames is one of her favorite things to do. (And a handful of people in Etraya have already been granted her ridiculous nicknames.) Swiftbloom is a lovely, elegant name, she thinks. However, something more straightforward and simple is Fio's style. ]
...Mister Prickles. [ She declares, without a thought to ask for further feedback. Calling out from the back: ] I'll try not to hit you too hard, Mister Prickles! [ Okay, she knows she will have to, in order for them to win... but she still feels sad for it... ]
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Dashing forward, he is well within the range of the giant cactus. It seems like its eyes are fixed on him. Of course, it's hard to tell when they are empty black holes on its "face." But at least, it does its jerking, sudden motion to turn toward him. ]
Ah, good one. [ He holds his hand out, wagging his finger lightly in her direction. ] Feel kind of bad picking on you, Mister Prickles, but well, I'm sure you'll forgive us. No hard feelings and all that, yeah? [ As he says that much, the cactus abruptly drops its entire body to fall on him. Jerking backwards, he just barely dodges out of the way of the "attack" and Mister Prickles is already back up to a standing position. ]
I think he understands! [ Verso calls over his shoulder before he shifts and twists his own body around into a different stance. One where he holds his sword just at his side -- white energy erupts down the hilt and blade. He lets it build a second more before unleashing the attack. Yet instead of just one strike; the light curves and weaves around the cactus striking and slashing multiple times before the energy dissipates.
Of course, it doesn't look like it does any damage to its outer shell. Which is always a little irritating and frustrating. It'd be nice to see just how they're actually doing. But the strikes do, at least, knock it partially off-balanced. Or Mister Prickles is standing on one foot instead of both, wobbling in place. ]
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And finally—there it is. An opening just as the energy fades away. A deep breath. She isn't going to let him fight alone. He's counting on her for support! Especially with how encouraging he's been, she doesn't want to let him down.
She doesn't waste any time taking action and does an upward swing of her arm. While there isn't a physical object in her hand, the silver spheres follow the movement, soaring high above like a toy ball being thrown.
Her hand comes down. The silver spheres also come down. They strike once. Up and down, Fio does the same arm motion three more times and the twin spheres alternate, pummeling into the cactus like a rain of punches. Two, three, four times—each collision accompanied by bursts of bright, white light and particles flying. The onslaught finishes and the orbs vanish, dissolving into dark mist. Anyone that glances back will find that the weapons have reappeared in their initial position, levitating next to the tiny girl.
Mister Prickles falls, swept off both feet now. Combined with her companion's efforts, that may have been more than enough to knock the creature off balance... ]
Yay! We got it, we got it! [ Fio bounces on her heels and glances over at her partner to make sure he did see what she did, as if those light bursts are difficult to miss. Only rejoicing for a few seconds because she does continue to feel guilty for striking down an adorably oversized cactus. Was that overdoing it a bit much? It's an unfamiliar creature to her, so she wasn't sure how hard to hit it... ] I... think we got it? Is Mister Prickles still moving? [ Is it going to stand back up? ...It couldn't have gone down that easily, could it? ]
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Verso yet again wonders who would call the little lady a liability. Command of elements and energy like that is praiseworthy. Perhaps, he'll think of something to give in return for whatever winnings they acquire. In any case, Mister Prickles has fallen over and lying quite still on the arena floor.
With his usual bit of confidence, he walks over to lightly tap the side of his boot against the oversized leg. ]
I'd like to think you got it. [ He calls over his shoulder. Shifting on one foot, he wonders what else she's capable of -- but his thinking is short-lived. The adorable cactus begins glowing bright. Bright enough that Verso takes a step back, holding his arm up to shield his eyes. ] Hey now!
[ It jumps into the air. Hovering for a second, still glowing like a well-lit ornament, before the sudden violent twist to acknowledge the man's presence. ]
Oh, wait, it can't -- [ He doesn't quite get a chance to finish his statement (or quip) before needles rain down on his person. So many in fact that it looks like a downpour where even his body becomes obscured. The cactus itself continues to glow bright before letting out a high-pitched whistling sound.
The needles themselves slowly disintegrate rather than remain. Verso himself is lying rather pathetically on the floor of the arena. Pieces of himself removed thanks to the attack. But it's a second later that his hand snaps out into the air. He jerks in the same manner as Mister Prickles as he rises up from the ground. A chunk of his torso is missing, but he summons sword and dagger all the same.
Making a cross with the weapons, he floods his body with chroma and -- the injuries heal themselves. But he is still covered in blood as he shifts around to glance to the little miss. ]
How're you doing? You okay? [ More worried if that scared her than anything else. ]
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As the cactus jumps into the air, she stands alert, preparing to direct her weapons again if needed. The blinding light throws her off guard and she shields her eyes, for a brief moment. Worried, she takes a peek at what's happening in front of her. ]
No! [ She releases a horrified shriek upon seeing her companion engulfed in the rain of needles, her small voice drowned out by the deafening high-pitched sound from Mister Prickles. In a panic, it appears far too late for her to act. Although, she's not sure what she would have done. As the needles clear up, she sees everything—her partner's injuries and how that blow took out part of his torso. And then he just heals himself up, asking if she's okay. ]
Huh? [ That did scare her. Sadly for her age, she isn't a stranger to violent scenes. The world she comes from is filled with memories of antipathy and pain. Blood and death are a common sight in many of the stories she's seen. It'll never stop being upsetting. She clearly looks shaken, eyes beginning to water. Even when he's managed to heal quickly, pick himself back up and wield his weapons like before, Fio is unable to control the tears from flowing. ]
I-I'm okay. I can still fight. I was just... really surprised... [ She croaks out shakily. Obviously she's more than surprised with how she's crying. She should probably pay attention to their opponent, but she's more focused on him now, eyeing the blood. ] You're... okay?