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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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It's image flickers as the creature starts to digitize. The remaining meteors start to dissipate with the rest of the debris as well, gradually returning the arena to it's original state.]
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Hah! And that's how it's done. Up top, Shads! [C'mon Shadow, it is time for a High Five. Don't leave him hanging!]
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He looks to his own hand for a moment. A memory of a time spent with a girl, her laughter flooding his sensory as they celebrate a skate around the base, or beating a game together. His ears fall back slightly, expression turning somber for a moment before focusing back up]
We're not done yet. [It's too soon to celebrate. The gate will slowly start to open again.]
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You are allowed to celebrate small victories, you know. [It's not a reproach, just said matter-of-factly. It's all about the little things, Shadow. And it boosts morale!]
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...It was better. [He has contributed to the celebrating. And they will at least keep a steady momentum while they continue to climb through the rounds. He could feel their coordination improve even as the fights get harder. Sonic might even get lucky and get something witty out of Shadow during one of the later rounds. Miss it and he'll pretend he didn't say anything.
Eventually, enemy number ninety-nine will also go down, leaving them with only one remaining boss. Rain was pouring down the arena, a remnant from their fallen foe. It lingers even after the arena resets. The gate doesn't open right away once. Instead the ground will shake as pillers start to rise around the arena. Additional platforms in preparation for their final match.
...Yea, that's not a little omnimous with the rain and everything. Shadow is still holding up all right for the most part. Breathing heavily, but what little rest they have should be enough to finish this. There's still fuel in the tank as the saying goes, but he didn't get out of those fights completely unscathe.
He suffered a few cuts and bruises here and there that are very much real injuries. Nothing he can't heal from on his own. Good thing his fur is so dark that they can't really be seen, but he can definitely feel them. He grips his arm, flexing his hand for a moment.] Think you can handle one more?
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He has to admit there was a thrill to it. The fights, the way they started falling into sync with one another, slowly but much better than the rough start. It reminded him when they were both fighting side by side, powered up by the Emerald. Of course, there were still a few kinks to smooth out, but getting Shadow to say something back after the endless quips Sonic had been making, felt like a small victory on itself. He's definitely banged up as well, although probably less than you since you kept covering for him, even if less than before. He still noticed. It makes him feel a little frustrated, not gonna lie. Not that you helped-- just that he needed it. But he had been focusing more on the fights to compensate. Still, the monsters they had been facing after they hit the fiftieth level hadn't been exactly easy, so the bruises had started to ache more than you could normally ignore. The kind that stay with you even after the adrenaline fades a bit.]
C'mon, we already got this far. It'll be dumb to quit right now, when there's only one more left!
[Still, in the long moment it takes for the terrain to shift and rearranges for the final round, he opens the only other trail mix bar he had been carrying and, without a word, he snaps it cleanly in half and holds one piece out to you..]
Here, take it. [He's not asking this time, he's giving it to you.]
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He turns his head from the gates, seeing Sonic practically handing him a piece of his trail mix now.]
...Just how many of those things did you bring? [He will take it this time though. After a sniff, he'll start to eat it. A little soaked from the rain, but still edible all the same. Not exactly like the rice crispies Maria would bring for him. He stares at the ground, the water actually raising slightly above the surface. Just up to their ankles for now.]
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As the balm-like effect began to settle in-- not quite as good as eating a whole bar, but enough to feel better-- he looked down at the rising water with a frown. Technically still a puddle, but...] .... So, do you reckon we should probably get on one of those platforms, or...?
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I think that's a yes! [If Sonic needs it, Shadow will come to him and teleport him up onto one of the pillars. Otherwise, if Sonic plans to run up, he'll meet him above.
Light flashes throughout the arena, and as it passes over the rushing body of water coming in, a silhouette of a large serpentine-like creature can be seen, hiding amongst the flood of water.]
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The water rushes in fast, barely just missing him by a hair as he scrambles onto the platform.] That was way too close for comfort.
[Water, why did it have to be water?]
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Don't like getting wet? [He doesn't think it's anything serious, and Sonic will perform when the time comes. Which is probably soon as their opponent lets out another low bellow. The surface breaks as the giant serpent rises out of the water and stares down at it's prey. Energy sparks around his left hand, at the ready. With this terrain and this giant serpent that can control the waves and rain, truly a formidable final opponent.]
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... Yeah.] It's a little too late for that, isn't it? It's been raining since the last level.
[He'll be fine. He just has to keep moving. He's fast enough to run on water. He knows this, no need to be nervous. Besides, they probably have the advantage, having electric type like attacks. They'll be done in no time.]
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Ears turn slightly at the sound of a loud splash as the sea serpent rushes towards their platforms from their left. Shadow teleports out of there, as the serpent continues on towards Sonic. It will then proceed to hide in the wall of water once more, regardless of whether it gets Sonic or not.]
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When the serpent rushes at where they are, he barely has time to react, but he manages to jump in time to dodge the attack. The platform is not big enough to accommodate the whole size of the beast, so he only had one place left to go, and that was on top of it. He runs over it's scales all the way to the tail, avoiding being flicked off in the last moment and jumping back to the platform. He didn't get any damage in because he was more focused on other things, but at least he's still in semi solid ground for now.]
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Can you get it's attention?! [Another loud splash as the serpent dives through the arena once more. He won't teleport this time and instead, jet out of it's way and fire a few chaos spears while it passes. The creature screech as his attacks stung like annoying pricks. Hardly forces it to change trajectory as it heads toward Sonic once more.]
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[Okay, okay. He’s let stress do enough talking. Deep breaths, Sonic.
As the monster lunges at him, he jumps out of the way again. This time, he manages to land a hit with a well-aimed spin dash, though the creature snaps its jaws at him a second later, missing by mere inches. The action forced it to veer off and dive into a different water wall than the one it had originally been going to.] I don't know, it kinda feels like it’s already trying to eat me.
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Keep talking, and trust me! [Sonic wanted Shadow to trust him, well, let's see how far that extends the other way around. In a flash, Shadow disappears from Sonic's view, presumably leaving him alone. All that chattering from Sonic should hopefully keep it's attention away from wherever Shadow has hid himself.
There's a low rumble from the waters, a growl as the serpent swims around the arena. Will it charge through the wall of water once more? And when? It wasn't through the wall of water this time though. Sonic will feel his pillar start to shake violently instead as the serpent rams into it, breaking it's foundation.]
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He sprints down the collapsing column, kicking the overgrown eel on its snout as it charges in to give the pillar the final blow, effectively getting its attention.]
Hey, Moby Jerk! You lookin' for bait? 'Cause I’m the catch of the day!
[Okay, just keep running on water, don't fall it, easy-peasy. Avoid the gaping whirlpools that threaten to suck you into oblivion, all while keeping a prehistoric sea terror off your tail? Kicks up the spice-- just don't think about any silly fears of drowning. Don't.
The serpent lunges above water, its teeth inches from Sonic’s heels. He speeds into a sharp turn, splashing a wave in the snake's face. It roars.]
What’s the matter? Don’t like being splashed? What are you, allergic to fin?
[Yeah, you got it under control, Sonic. Just have to make it to one of the other pillars for solid, mostly dry, land. Hopefully. There are, at least, three more of them. He saw them before the one he was standing in was destroyed, and he mostly remembers where they were.
The Leviathan lunges again, making an arch above the water, diving in and looking to sink him, and this time he dodges by ducking and jumping to land on top of its body.]
Do I look like a tuna to you?! 'Cause I'm about to school you, sushi breath!
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It violently jerks it's head to get Shadow off, but he keeps pushing the spear further in. The pain causes the serpent to wail as it dives under, taking Shadow with it.
At first, it didn't seem like Shadow was going to come back up. But eventually, there's a familar sound of a snap, and Shadow lands onto a platform, possibly besides Sonic if he made it off the serpent. He drops to one knee for a moment, breathing heavily, taking in all that air and not water.]
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And then seconds that feel like hours go by without any movement, his heart beating wildly inside his chest. What if-- what if it got you, and you're having trouble fighting it underwater? You can only hold your breath for so long, even if you do know how to swim.
For a wild, insane, moment he considers jumping in to help. To do what? Who knows! Maybe he could manage to punch it if he dives in with enough force. Maybe he can convince the monster he's a better snack.
Thankfully, he doesn't have to entertain the thought for long because you finally snap into existence beside him. He lets out a relieved breath.]
Please tell me it's over.
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Just as Shadow moves to get off, the serpent will resurface, flying upwards to try and grab one of them with it's jaws. It's right eye is indeed closed and unusable, but it still poses a threat, and probably pissed off at this point. Who does it rise to try and snap it's jaws on though?]
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Oh, c'mon! [He could dodge and run, but the whole being seen as a snack is getting old. And before he could think better of it, impulse takes over, and he's already hurling himself straight at the monster's face in a spin dash. He aims for the right eye to do the most damage.]
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It still has one good eye and it's on Shadow now as it gives chase. Of course. He weaves around the water spouts while dodging the leviathan's jaws, trying to think how to shake it off him.]
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There's still several seconds where he just stands there. Catching his breath and watching Shadow run from the beast, scrambling his brain for even the faintest sliver of anything resembling a strategy. It wasn't like he could run up those water sprouts to help without getting sucked in. He'll end up being more of a liability than anything. He was a sitting duck as the other two flew across the place. The monster wasn't even interested in him anymore-- wait.
Maybe, if Shadow drew him close enough to where he was, the monster wouldn't see him coming. He just hoped he would be able to convey his sort of plan by gesturing alone. He wasn't terrible at playing charades, at least.] Shadow!
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Speaking of. He thought he heard that blue hedgehog shouting his name somewhere. Sound like he survived that tail strike. Eyes locks in onto a blue dot flailing to get his attention ahead. Hardly given a moment to think what they were doing, he narrowly dodges the jaws of the massive serpent suddenly coming up to his left. His left arm suddenly stings with pain, teeth having scraped it as he avoided becoming an actual snack.
He disappears in a flash, longer than before. The serpent had to pause, unable to get their sights on him. In the next moment, it was getting pelted by chaos spears. Shadow had reappeared closer to Sonic, still hovering above as he gets the serpent's attention. Whatever Sonic was planning, better be ready as the pissed off monster starts to swim in Shadow's direction.]
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