TDM 008

[etrayamods]

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 ⏴Interdimensional Games 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. Gold Saucer Games 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. Sparklers & Glowsticks 10 gp Bunny Suit 300 gp Bunny Stockings & Heels 150 gp Animal Ears (Random) 500 gp Kigurumi (Random) 100 gp Chocobo Barding (Random) 1000 gp Classic White Mage Robes 500 gp Classic Black Mage Robes 500 gp Plush Toy (Random) 100 gp Wind-Up Minion (Random) 200 gp Chocobo Mascot Suit (Random Color) 2000 gp Triple Triad Booster Pack 50 gp Triple Triad Card in your Likeness 10,000 gp ⏵ NOTES ⏴ 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! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

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Clea Dessendre - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | New character | Returning player | Beware Spoilers!

[repaintress]

((OOC: I used to go here! Hi! Fashionably late, here. Please be aware there's likely to be major Clair Obscur spoilers ahead. If you'd like a wildcard starter, hit me up via PM or at ScoutRPsStuff))

Arcade/Skeeball (I like Skeeball okay):

Ordinarily, games feel juvenile.

[ Ordinarily, games feel juvenile. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, Clea finds they remind her of childhood. Presently, that isn't an unwelcome feeling, reminding her of days she had not appreciated back when she had had them. People who had been a part of her childhood she had not appreciated back when she had them. She would give anything to go back to the age when she would have played these games with glee. With him.

It is at least something to focus on. She should be attempting to discover more about this place: About the strange Canvas that had brought her here, about the apparent 'goal'. (Clea has no desire for any representation of herself, but should she acquire the card it will be hers to destroy rather than trade.)

Instead, she is playing something called...skeeball. God save the Anglophones, they do try.

She tosses the ball in the air twice, spinning it as she throws and catching it as it descends, taking the weight and feel of it in her hand. Then, placing that one aside, she takes another and does the same. It would be a common trick to make the balls different in order to throw off the hapless players.

Satisfied, she swings her arm back and throws with a steady hand and just enough force to bump the ball to the top circle. Clea smiles and picks up another ball. It's simple muscular repetition.

At least until ball four, which goes wide and ends up dropping sadly into the circle labeled '10'.]

Merde.

[ She'll need to try again. She has to be perfect or Verso will- no, he won't tease her. Never again.

She needs to be perfect. Ball six also goes wide. Good. Not good enough.

Again.

This time, balls three and five miss.

Again.

One and six.

Again.

Seven.

Again.

And so the woman can be found, utterly engrossed in the game with a look of pure concentration on her face that is only broken when she lets out disappointed French explitives in time with her mistakes.

She needs to do better. ]

Colosseum Battle

What delightfully interesting creatures these are.

[What delightfully interesting creatures these are! Not as creative as her Nevrons, of course, but moving nonetheless. It only takes watching someone else once and catching a glimpse for Clea to decide she must get closer. And luckily, nobody is there to attempt to persuade her otherwise.

Her first attempts end quickly and ignominiously, with her body bouncing off the floor and several bones cracking as she lands. Rather than discouraging her, the woman trades weapons and tries again. And again. And again. Sometimes, she limps out on one leg. Other times, her face is so swollen she can't see. And yet, each time, she goes back, turning around scarcely a minute after her restoration.

And each time is a delight. The creatures are so varied! So beautiful!

Eventually, she becomes better at wielding the magic, settling into the feeling as she would the magic of a Canvas where she was a guest. Just as the creatures are beautiful to see, they are a joy to fight. To feel her hands crackle with fire, a reflection of how she feels inside, and to set the creatures who had hurt her ablaze.

And then she's rewarded. The small, tiny creature. Green with a monk's hood and a lamp that she thinks she will bestow on the Lampmaster if she ever returns. So tiny So ominous.

Instead of fighting, Clea crouches and inhales a breath. ]

Oh. You're beautiful.

[ There's another person there, but they aren't important. What is important is the delightful little creature walking towards them. Stopping. Walking again. Intimidation. Beautiful. Worthy of a sculpture.

Perhaps they are important. If Clea crouches behind them, they'll lose first. She'll get to see how it hunts. She's certain it does so with grace.]

Leap of Faith

The other games had been strange and unfamiliar.

[ The other games have been strange, unfamiliar, and requiring talents that are not Clea's areas of expertise. Could she shoot? Yes. Could she throw? Yes. But those are not activities that make her feel alive. Not in the same way Clea feels alive when she soars through the air, when she uses her body as the finely tuned instrument d'art that she's trained it to be.

Each leap wells a spring of nostalgia in Clea's heart, each delicate and well timed landing causing her to reverberate with both fond memories and fresh pain. She can almost hear an echo: "Nobody could get all the way up there." Can almost see a ghost of an image: of a smorgasbord of items piled to the sky.

Still, there is joy in it.

Joy, in seeing a platform that would only be possible to reach with a full running leap and in dashing forward, using her bare feet to push off the edge at the last second and jumping with graceful abandon in to the air, catching on the higher platform with her fingers. For a moment, she sways in the air, her fingertips turning white with the exertion of holding herself aloft.

Then her other arm follows and Clea hoists herself onto the higher platform with a satisfied 'oomph', pushing herself up on her arms, falling forward into a roll and then standing. She grabs one of the (admittedly somewhat cute - if she were the type who liked 'cute' things. Alicia would like them) statues and then turns her attention to someone nearby, blue eyes glittering and a wild, free smile on her face.]

Would you like to race?

[Of course they are already racing, but there's nothing wrong with more competition, non?]

Beehive Lounge 1 - Judgement Call

Fortunately for Clea, she was wearing a dress.

[ Fortunately for Clea, the outfit she'd picked out of the annoying metal's man closet - a replica of the Danseuse outfit she'd designed in the Canvas (how had it gotten there? That question disturbs her but the outfit is hers by right) - is a dress and therefore meets the overly literal 'dress code' requirement easily, the shimmering irredescent layers of the garment changing colors as they float through the air. She's ready for some sustenance, having used the evening to finally work out some of the restless energy that's haunted her since her brother's death.

Unfortunately for Clea, she has high standards for dancing and the girls are not meeting them. When had they started dancing? At fourteen?

She calls that a leg bend? It's a 165 degree angle! Madame would have shot any girl past the age of 12 who called that as such. Clea frowns over the rim of her wine glass and takes a sip of the Sauvignon, trying to quiet her urge to rap her hand on the table and snap 'Attention!'

Taking a few more sips, she critically watches as a girl shimmies in a woefully unsymmetrical manner.

Clea's no naif; she's aware there's supposed to be an erotic energy to the establishment. But how incompetence is erotic, Clea cannot fathom. And how that dancing is worth the rates she's seen posted is truly baffling. ]

Are dancers so rare that this establishment has been forced to do away with any semblance of standards? This cannot be worth the going rate.

[ She had not meant to speak aloud, but Clea does not care about being heard and instead raises an eyebrow at the person next to her, clearly expecting agreement.

The men aren't any better. That one's knees are bent as he bends.

They might as well open an establishment dedicated to nails on chalkboards. ]

Beehive Lounge 2 - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Sometimes wine makes things more bearable

[ Sometimes wine makes things more bearable. Other times, it results in tunnel vision. Clea tries to ignore the dancers, but they're like pebbles in her shoe or Chroma in the edge of her vision and impossible to ignore. There's another emotion, one that is uglier. Jealousy. She misses dancing. She's had to cancel her future collaborations, and there is barely time for the basic exercises to keep her body able to dance. There is no time for choreography or rehearsal, and Clea does not know when there will be again.

The music changes and it isn't completely unbearable. There's some art to it. Clea can see what the steps should be, how the movements should reflect composition and performance.

And so she joins the performance, her movements a marriage of classical form and contortionism, limbs extending and flowing like water in controlled movements that turn Clea's body into a waterfall, all smooth movement and shimmering draping accentuated by the outfit's ethereal, delicate layers.

As the music turns and the tempo picks up the pace, so too does Clea, replacing the slow movements with quick and explosive jumps, spinnig and bending in time with the strangest instruments she has ever heard, delighting in the improvisation. Winding down, Clea finishes the dance with a series of ever more frantic dancing, only to stop still with one leg raised, ankle hooked around the back of her neck, once the music dies.

She then concludes her dance by walking over to the nearest table, picking up a glass, and taking a long drink, swallowing several times before placing it back on the table.

Then she collapses into the nearest chair with a satisfied sigh, breathing heavily and heedless of whether or not the area was already occupied.]

Network:

I just saw someone wearing paisley and tartan. I know where we are now: this is Hell. Unmistakably. It explains what they're passing off as champagne.

network! un: cc

[bubblegumheart]

What's wrong with paisley and tartan?

[repaintress]

Dante's Inferno is full of the spirits of the lost and the damned.

If one is going to mix bold patterns, there must be thought and intent. Tartan and Paisley have no concordance and therefore it renders the outfit a rendition of empty, vacuous rebellion.

[bubblegumheart]

Maybe they just really like the patterns. Or maybe they're trying to see if anyone has anything to say about it!

[repaintress]

I can respect social rablerousing, but I draw the line at crimes that cause my eyes to burn. Why not simply throw a wine glass?

[bubblegumheart]

That's an excellent question. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have gone quite so big right off the bat.

[repaintress]

If one is going to rabble rouse, one must commit. That is true of anything in life.

[ Sadly the phrase 'go big or go home' does not exist for Clea. ]

[bubblegumheart]

How do you feel about mixing polka dots and stripes?

[Is she serious? Probably not.]

[repaintress]

It could work in certain situations if the juxtaposition were deliberate and there was a clear aesthetic throughline.

[bubblegumheart]

I agree! And now I'm kind of wondering what you would have thought about the camp uniforms we all had a little while ago.

[Because tie-dye and 80s style shorts is certainly a look.]

[repaintress]

Describe them to me.

[bubblegumheart]

There was so much tie-dye. It was great! I had some hot pink 80s basketball shorts too.

[It still feels kind of weird to describe them that specifically, but styles have changed quite a bit since then so it's necessary.]

[repaintress]

What is tie-dye? I am unfamiliar.

network | un: ulysses

[restingstitchface]

Well, I know you'll disagree since you've offered your opinion: but Hell is other people.

It is neither the fabric nor the champagne that make this place insufferable. It is the people who create them.

sadly Sartre is a baby in her canon why

[repaintress]

An interesting thought. I would not necessarily disagree.

This feels far more targeted than the hellish boredom inflicted on the world by the thoughtless and tasteless machinations of the public.

[restingstitchface]

Now, are you alleging that our kidnappers have less than pure intentions, on a public forum? I can't say I entirely disagree.

[repaintress]

If they are denizens of Hell, I presume the ruse is to further torture me.

If they are not and some worlds are best represented by people who wear tartans and paisley, then those worlds aren't worth saving. If they are telling the truth, the actions are reasonable.

[restingstitchface]

Reasonable differs according to perspective. And come the end of the day, the only perspective that matters is your own - and all the social obligations that pressure it.

In any case, I see the combination of tartan and paisley repulses you. Have you considered that such revulsion can inform you of deeper emotion? It is not something to be frightened by.

[repaintress]

What a groundbreaking observation.

I do not buy from wandering salesmen.

[restingstitchface]

I'm not selling anything except an opinion and that's for free. So really, if it doesn't cost anything, can that be classed as a sale?

[repaintress]

If you wish to plumb the depths of my emotional state, you may buy tickets to my exhibitions like anyone else, Monsieur.

The deeper emotion is distress at how little others value beauty in their lives.

[restingstitchface]

Beauty is subjective and that makes beauty itself a philosophical concept. Unlike medicine, it is hardly based on objective, universal standards.

In any case, I suppose I could purchase a ticket. But where is beauty in an emotion freely given? I prefer the elegance of taking what I need.

[He is not someone who meekly waits and asks to be told what to think. And by medicine he means drugs.]

[repaintress]

Why would beauty's subjective nature impact its value? Much that is valuable about the world is subjective. Medicine is less objective than physicians were prefer.

It is a pleasure you warn me in advance not to keep your company unless I am armed.

[restingstitchface]

Well, the value would be impacted because beauty is admired differently between different people. What I consider beautiful you might not - and given your stident behaviour I imagine you've had a fair few disagreements over your preferences.

Oh, you also misunderstand me. I don't value sexual relationships all that highly.

[repaintress]

Oh, a man I've never met has called me strident. I must inspect my behavior post-haste.

[The sarcasm drips through the screen somehow.]

Something can be valued equally by many people even if the expression is different. Two mothers may each value their children, even if what they value in the children is quite different.

You will attempt to disregard my boundaries. I will enforce them. Which boundaries those are is immaterial.