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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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A portal...how strange. I saw none, neither on Aphaia nor here. It feels almost like drifting through a dream, finding myself in one place and then another, the in-between but a hazy void.
[His eyes soften to hear the grim gravity of subtext here. He knows well the feeling of not knowing what has happened to someone, seeking answers and finding none for so long. Much longer, in Joshua's case, of course - it took years until he and the Undying were able to locate Clive among the Imperial branded - and yet, he knows how seriously the prince takes these things.
He reaches over to place one hand gently atop Dion's clasped ones, meeting his gaze.]
And yet, you persisted. Indefatigable as ever. You have my thanks for searching so ardently. But I am here now, and this time, you shall have no cause to worry over me. I will see to it, no matter what I must do.
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He parts his hands, if only to catch Joshua's between them. For but a moment he allows himself to soak in the simple warmth of that touch, that confirmation that he is indeed here once again. That he remembers the last time was more than Dion could let himself hope for, when such things were entirely out of their influence. ]
I am given to worrying, but you are not responsible for that.
[ It is only natural to worry for someone he cares about. Someone he'd already mourned the loss of once before, even if years later that loss proved to be false. Joshua is here and whole. He could do no more than this and Dion would only be grateful. ]
Nor are you alone.
[ Perhaps Joshua doesn't need the reminder, yet it bears saying. Dion still owes him so much even now, and the thought that he might shoulder more burdens on his behalf naturally concerns him. ]
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In that case, I shall bring you only the most trivial of worries from now on.
[He smiles warmly at that reminder. He doesn't need it, no, but it's always nice to hear it, and it speaks to Dion's own thoughts on the matter as well.]
Nor am I alone - thanks to you.
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I do not mind what manner of worry it is, if it concerns you.
[ His words are simple and earnest. Whatever forces are at work here, whatever they might face, Dion intends to be there for him in whatever way he may.
When the moment passes, he offers Joshua a furtive slant of a smile, finding some humor in the notion of simpler worries. How long ago had life afforded them these? ]
Though I dare wonder what trivial worries would look like.
[ His voice is nearly drowned out by a shrill whistle sounding from outside the gondola, followed by a loud pop. Accustomed to war as Dion is, his hands twitch around Joshua's as his posture tenses and he looks out the window. Colored light blooms into shimmering life in the air some distance away, casting them both in vibrant blue. ]
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[Yes, he knows what Dion means, and the warmth underlying his tone makes that clear. But sometimes, one simply must tease just a bit.
He surely would have had something equally airy and teasing to say to that second part, but he's fully distracted by the sounds and the lights. He doesn't tense, but turns quickly to get a look at whatever's happening. After a moment, he squeezes Dion's hand lightly once again, this time as reassurance.]
A dazzling illusion, nothing more.
[Though he's a bit disturbed by this glimpse of Dion bathed in blue light, as the eye could perhaps mistake him for one of the akashic, this way. It's a relief, then, when the sounds ring out again and, as the blue sparkles fade, red ones erupt in the air instead.]
Though it pales in comparison to the radiant gleam of Bahamut's pure light, is that not so?
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Shimmering red fades and is next replaced by gold with a deep magenta at its heart. So colors can be mixed then, it seems. ]
Nor has it the vibrant warmth of your flames, yet it resembles both in some small measure.
[ It appears that way to him, at least, neither solely light or flame. Something between. Dion supposes it isn't the most curious sight he has seen, but he does find it interesting for that reason. ]
I wonder how it is done.
[ What manner of innovation would be behind something meant only to observe? ]