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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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The deeper emotion is distress at how little others value beauty in their lives.
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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.]
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It is a pleasure you warn me in advance not to keep your company unless I am armed.
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Oh, you also misunderstand me. I don't value sexual relationships all that highly.
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[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.
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I have as much interest in your boundaries as you do mine. Which is to say none at all.
[His tone is more cold and dismissive than hot and sarcastic like hers. Equally sardonic but unresponsive to provocation.]
But continue believing otherwise if words are what helps you sleep at night.
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No, that's laudanum.
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[Widely used to treat pain and insomnia - and female disorders.]
I'm afraid you'll find this place is fresh out. Not that you seem the sort to be overcome by addiction.
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[ Most people know what laudanum is. ]
No. Overindulgence would risk my instrument.
Have you spent any time in an opium den?
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In any case, I cite the composition because modern advancements in medicine are quite astonishing.
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They are good inspiration.
Given the advancements in medicine over the last century, I see no reason they would not continue.
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I have seen enough of madness to understand that sanity is nothing but the judgement of the majority. Society judges the outside to be insane. The outside judges society as a mass exhibition of insanity.
The same as what medication is deemed acceptable and what is deemed to need to be controlled. Who decides that? The individual? Or the wider community?
[Ha ha fuck mass opinion amirite?]
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So too do the insane fear their own sanity. They have fled the world and taken refuge in their own minds, and they cannot bear to be reminded the world persists.
Your authorities suppress medications? Do they not have serious matters to attend to?
[ RIP Crane you would have loved the early 20th century. ]
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[Two statements are answered with one of his favourite sayings. There is beauty in simplicity. In a collection of letters one can write on their palm. They almost count the same amount as a chemical equation. A formula that if followed to the letter (ha) results in a perfect composition.]
In any case, authorities in the present day restrict medication to ensure patient safety and minimise harm. It all takes control out of the hands of the individual to make their decisions - for good and bad - and places it firmly in the hands of society.
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Please do. The sane are so boring. I dislike being bored.
That is moronic. Anything left in the hands of greater society inevitably becomes mediocre pablum and geared towards people who don't understand swords are sharp.
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Are you familiar with the concept of mass hysteria?
[Oh look. It's another topic in his wheelhouse.]
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[ Neither of which hold any appeal to her. ]
I am not.
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The most famous being the witch trials of old. Religious fervor, societal tension and deeply-rooted fear all combining together to create mass delusion that encompassed the entirety of society.
Now imagine what could happen here should one provide a substance that allows those without power to level the playing field. What do you suppose might happen? A mass outbreak of disapproval, certainly...
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How do you know that the witch trials were a mass delusion? Perhaps there truly were witches among them. Our Gifts have certainly been compared to witchcraft.
[ It isn't even a particularly absurd comparison. There were yards of boring religious tracts across the world with dusty theologians arguing about the artistic Gifts. ]
I lack the context to say, monsieur. I fail to see why it would engender disapproval. Others being able to dance does not detract from my own skill. My primary questions would be what manner of 'power' is being discussed and what cost the provisioner would extract for such a thing.
[ Since they are, of course, speaking hypothetically. ]
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Regarding the trials, I simply provided an extended example that occured not nationally but globally.
And though I would argue the word is loaded with fear and respect, for is there truly a difference, there no such thing as a witch. The word was - still is - a label used to scapegoat and sunder those society wishes to marginalise. Wise women. Intelligent women. Assertive women.
Women, period.
[Can you tell he's an equal opportunities asshole, yet?]
In any case, others would consider such advancement without work and effort a form of cheating. But those protests always originate from those already gifted, don't they?
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It is a rather gendered concept. Though a fair number of the female sex seem to enjoy their position.
[ And if Clea has to listen to one more discussion about babies she is going to Paint her hearing away. Before that was marriage and courtship. Although men tended to be as dull in different directions. Finance and erotic fixations. ]
If society did not marginalize the intelligent, wise, and assertive, they would need to confront how much of their own lives has been built from tradition and authority. They do not wish to confront their own lack of creativity or their lack of courage. They must convince themselves they are content with their small lives.
Should a man with no legs complain of those who dance? How the gift is given matters less than what one does with it.
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I personally deem it stress-induced psychosis. The region where people danced was riddled with starvation and disease, and superstition was the norm.
[He has more to say about the word witch but chooses to shelve it.]
But whether a man without limbs complains of those who dance really isn't relevent to me. What is more important is what happens because of it.
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And what do you believe should happen?
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And stress has been evidenced to induce psychosis. Everybody has a baseline vulnerability to psychosis. Furthermore, high levels have been proven to trigger breakdowns in vulnerable individuals. Likewise so have major life events like divorce, career termination and bereavement, such as the birth or death of a child.
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