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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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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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He can feel it, trickling around his whole body, making his quills bristle with electricity. Just like he expected the snake ignores him, too focused on Shadow. And when the moment's right he jumps, like a lighting bolt striking into the sky, punching the snake square under it's jaw. The blow erupts with a burst of explosive energy that ripples through the entire arena, causing the hologram to flicker for just a moment.]
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Just as Sonic will start to fall, a hand will reach out and grab hold onto his. Even with only one working arm, he can keep a grip as they slowly start to descend back towards a pillar.] Something's wrong.
[If they had truly defeated their foe, the arena should be starting to return to normal, but it hasn't. The water below instead starts to gather towards one side of the arena, almost as if...a massive tidal wave was forming.]
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I'm getting us through it. Be ready! [There's a loud rumbling as the tsunami is finally let go, heading in the direction of the two hedgehogs. If Sonic wanted to protest, Shadow is going to ignore it. As orange and golden sparks spread from his body, even his red highlights flare up. They start to speed towards the massive wave until....the world suddenly begins to stop.
It almost felt like when Sonic went super fast and the world would slow down, but this was different. It felt more like time had stopped, all the sounds became muffled and the colors of the world were washed out. There's a sensation of being tugged somewhere, down a tunnel. To the unexperienced, all of one's senses comes into question as gravity doesn't work right, a sense of vertigo as up becomes down.
It all will eventually stop, the world coming back together and revealing they've passed through the tidal wave. The serpent was there to greet them, still frozen in time.] Go! [He tosses Sonic skywards with all of his remaining strength, as the world gradually starting to move once more. The serpent will only see the black hedgehog as time starts again. Light sparking from his right hand, creating one last spear. Intentionally, he stays on the side of it's good eye, keeping the creature's attention on him.]
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What--?! [Oh yeah. He remembers the feeling, having gone through that twice before. He's a little less ill-prepared for what happens, at least, even if it's still disorienting, and the vertigo still hits him. He can't say he's a fan of it, but he's less of a fan of drowning, so he'll take it.] Fingers crossed all my guts are still where I left ‘em.
[He doesn't have enough time to recharge a hit like the one he did before, but as he's thrown, instincts kick in, and he coils into a spiky ball to charge and hit the leviathan's head with a well-aimed spin dash.]
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The serpent starts to glitch violently until it's head starts to digitize, going down through the rest of it's body. The water starts to calm and digitize as well, the rain finally coming to a stop as the stormy clouds start to clear. All Shadow cares about, is that it's finally over. Stray sparks still come his body as his spear fizzles out. He's starting to fall. He knows he'll survive it, so it didn't matter. The arena is returning to normal, a sign there's nothing left to fight. That's all he needs to know.]
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He turned to watch Shadow fall beside him, they weren't too far apart. He looked just a worn as Sonic felt, and he was sure he wasn't completely imagining the blood trailing faintly in the air. The sight stirred something sharp in his chest.
The arena was too flooded for it to drain on time, but maybe that was a good thing, at least they wouldn't hit hard concrete-- although the impact against the surface of water at this distance was no joke either. Without thinking, instinct overriding fatigue, Sonic surged toward him, arms outstretched. He caught Shadow mid-fall, pulling him close in a firm grip, determined to shield him from the impact below. He took a deep breath.
They plunged into the water, back first on Sonic's part, the hit knocking some of the air he had been holding out of him. And he sunk. Oh yeah, he still couldn't swim. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long for the arena to reset, before he ran out of air.]
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The water flows through his fur, but it doesn't feel wet. If Sonic wasn't holding his breath, he'd realize they can breath in it now. The only thing that makes it resemble water is the weightlessness that one can still feel. His vision slowly comes into focus, seeing the light above, the surface of this "water" being digtized. They are sinking, he could feel the other hedgehog's arm holding onto him.
His hand grips onto their arm, kicking his feet in a way to get them atleast back upright. Just as the water completely reaches them and dissapates below, the jets from his shoes come to life, keeping them from falling the last few feet. There's the sound of a bell and a grand fanfare. Confetti and even fireworks start to go off, celebrating these two warriors that managed to clear all one hundred rounds.
Shadow wince at the sudden noise. He didn't care for it. All this does was make it difficult for him to focus. So it ends up being a rough landing, Shadow falling over and threatening to just hit the floor if not caught. But it's still a far better landing than what could have been a moment ago.]
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He manages to save the landing by reacting fast, and also moving quickly to catch you before you fall.] Shadow, are you okay?
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Fine. [He can't hide how heavily he breaths, how blood still drips from his left arm. He hates all the noise erupting in the arena. But he is alive. They cleared the gauntlet and given plenty of points to practically get the best prize from this place if they wanted to. That's all that matters.]
What about yourself? [Something...didn't feel right while they were in the "water". How the other behaved while he was trying to right themselves. He's aware of this, but he's too exhausted to do more than focus on standing and not pass out.]
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