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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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I would be worried, were this my first time finding myself somewhere that is not my own place in the multiverse.
[That's a fun word to know and one he found useful while dealing with people in Duplicity. It makes sense that it will probably come in handy while he is here as well. No matter how long.
As she mentions the birds, Thor looks over and frowns at them.]
I suppose the birds would be better than having to put up with Banner when Natasha isn't available.
[Nothing is as bad as having to go head-to-head with Hulk without his favorite lullaby singer.]
I would rather avoid both, if possible. The chairs in some parts of the lounges would be better than keeping company with ill-tempered fowl or ghosts for actual rest. Of course, after fighting a great deal on the battlefields for over two years, sleeping anywhere that is semi-flat or comfortable can be a gift.
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Wait, really? You're not the first person I've heard say something like that, but I think most of them mean whatever place they can come and go from the casino. Not in the whole, hey I've taken a trip through the multiverse, how about you? Sort of way.
( She takes note of the names, for all she lacks context to place them as specific persons. It's fine. She knows she'd sound the same referring to any of her friends or coworkers back home. )
There are also some decent booths around. None of them are going to be long enough for you, but one of the round ones might manage to keep most of you level? You can even grab someone to keep you company by staking the table out while you sleep.
( Yes, she has in fact already done this for some people. No, she does not worry about her losing sleep. She catnaps where she can. )
Probably's better than battlefield sleeping too. Even comes with coffee when you wake up! Or hot chocolate, or tea, or whatever makes you happy. Mimosas if you feel like drinking first thing in the "morning."
( She does in fact use her fingers to form the quotation marks she puts around the word morning. )
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Thor's gonna get a complex.]
I have been exposed to the fact that my own world that I know is not the only version of it in the multiverse. There is a theory that physicists talk about called the Pants Leg Theory, I believe, but it is human science and I'm not that well-versed in it. [If Jane was here, he'd just ask her. He knows about Asgardian tech, but that's not going to be talked about. Humans have come up with their own theories to explain things, so Thor just defaults to that since he spends more of his time on Earth than anywhere else.]
However, to answer your question, yes, I mean that truthfully. I have somehow found my way here from a world that was made up of a city called Duplicity and its sister cities.
[Her suggestions for his sleep are sort of cute and he just smiles.]
I would probably defer sleeping until I found my way to somewhere safe enough to do so. This casino does not inspire safety, if I am honest.
no subject
and probably game breaking we don't need to know. )Hah... yeah, I think that'd count for even us little guys. I think I know about a theory like that? Or something that sounds similar... there's so many different ones that got popular in the last fifteen years or so back home.
( The being in another world that wasn't his home (?) world and then here however is fascinating in a new and different way. )
Way to get a downgrade for the moment. At least you had a whole city there? Now we have a casino. A nice one, there's way less smoking than I'd expect, but still just a casino. ( She sighs, inclining her head his way. ) And you're right, it isn't big on inspiring safety. Still, for a mortal, I've had to make do.
( Alex is a bit sleep deprived, but between the caffeine from so much coffee and the sugar and everything else (including the adrenaline), she's powering through. This is how she knows she shouldn't get a kigu. She'd just spontaneously snooze. )
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If Jane were here, she could explain it to you in a way you'd understand. But she's probably far too busy to be caught by the people in charge here.
[Even if they're not dating anymore, she's still the smartest and humblest person he knows. He'll talk her up any time.]
I'm not so sure that this is a downgrade. That city was... Well, it was strange, even for someone raised in Asgard. This bastion of pleasures is at least tame and clean. I will take that any day. [He gives her a flash of a smile.] Even if the beds are haunted.
[He looks back at the prizes before looking back at her and noticing the look of someone who has been relying too much on coffee and not sleeping.]
Alex, you look as if you would fall over if a human child hit you. Do you perhaps need someone to guard you while you sleep?
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Is Jane a friend of yours? From this other city, or from home?
( She snorts at the haunted bed comment, then gives him a mildly surprised look at the comment about falling over if a human child hit her. )
Wow, I'm not that tired. Maybe not up for another battle in the Colosseum quite yet, but even that'll be fine after another few hours sleeping.
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Jane Foster is from the same universe I am. I met her when I visited Earth for the first time in a very long time.
[He's just going to leave that there. Thor's not certain what he and Jane are now, and it's been a while since he's last seen the scientist so he can't even ask her so they can clarify.]
You are showing signs of exhaustion. Do not be so stubborn as to take the opportunity to rest when it is offered to you. We do not know when we will be granted such times as this again.
[Don't be like Sif. And Jane. Take a damn nap.]
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( Given her track record of... two people who aren't... fully (or at all) from Earth being friends (if in Sylus's case a little... questionable still) this just makes Sense to her.
Likewise, what he says makes sense, but it also prompts her into laughing a little and shaking her head. )
I'm definitely known for being stubborn by my friends and family, unfortunately. How about this? You get the unicorn kigu, I'll get the panda bear kigu, and then I'll take a nap. It's pretty comfortable when you're in one of those things. Like a full body blanket hug, only easier to move in.
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[He's going to leave out how he got tased by Darcy not long after that or how he got into a fight with orderlies in the hospital. It's not important. Nor is it rather flattering either.
He raises an eyebrow at her offer, but he can't help but letting out a small chuckle as well.]
I believe that that is something that I can get behind. And it would be interesting to experience a full-body blanket hug. [That wasn't being squished in the arms of Hulk or something equally painful.] Let us proceed.
no subject
( She's not thinking of high speed van incidents, but there's plenty of low speed ways to hit a pedestrian who comes out of a blind spot. Clearly that's what's going on here! (Not really, but it's her best sort of guess. She's not sure what an arrival to Earth looks like for Thor.) )
Great! To the counter here, and then... honestly, anywhere safe to change.
( That said, she's definitely approaching the ticket counter to have them read what her GP card says she's earned, and the numbers are Quite Large. Benefits to being a little too dedicated to crane games and also coliseum fights and also a few other more adrenaline focused engagements. )
The panda kigu, and the face card!
no subject
[He died not that long after, but that's a different story, okay.]
I saw some bathrooms between a few eating stalls. I can guard the door for you if you're afraid of being accosted?
[He's here as her own personal Big Damn Hero™. At least for the time being.]
I have returned and I require the unicorn kigu. [He has the tickets.] And the strange white robes as well.
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( Seriously stranger in enough cases, to the point where this universe-hopping they're currently suffering while in a... well, casino, isn't even the weirdest for her.
She grins and shakes her head at his offer. )
I can take down anyone foolish enough to think they could get away with accosting me, but thank you. Kigu's don't even need changing if you don't want, just get right in!
( Which to be fair, that's what she does when she's handed her panda kigu and her ticket count is deducted as expected, unzipping the front (yay for a zipper closure, they're so much quicker to work with than the button ones) and stepping in one leg at a time, completing a slow transformation into Cuddle Panda Blanket Alex, closely related to Walking Blanket Burrito Alex, who has not appeared in this game. Yet. She pulls the hood up to leave the panda face sitting over the crown of her head, then holds out her face card to Thor after he's been given his recent goods. )
Mind if I give this to you? Part of this whole thing is handing it off to another person, and you look like the most trustworthy sort. Try not to laugh too hard when you see the face I'm making on it!
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[Of course, then there are the Norse myths that are going around about him and the rest of the Asgardians that are stranger than even what Thor has lived through. Who knows. Things are just weird. And that's okay.
He's not about to say anything about her not being able to defend herself when he's fought alongside Sif and Natasha. He offered. He was declined. That is the end of that story. Although, he can't help but be amused by the way she steps into the kigu as if it's something she does everyday. Maybe it is. He doesn't know her life.]
Then I think you should take mine in return. [He gives her his face card to keep and tucks the one she's given him into his pocket. He notates the expression she's making but says nothing. After learning the art of selfies from hanging out with certain assistants to certain scientists, he has no room to laugh at her. Although, the picture is amusing, if he's being honest.] I feel like I know a few people who would tease me about being trustworthy to strangers, but I don't see any of them here, so I shall accept your words as a compliment.
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But she smiles when he offers his card in turn, and nods her head to him: )
I'll keep it safe.
( Why not? It's a gesture of friendliness if nothing else, and she's appreciative of that in this insane situation that's their current reality. Then with a wink: )
Please do, my insults are usually more direct.
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I'm glad to hear it. I promise not to let the card with your face fall into the hands of someone who might use it against you.
[Not that he's sure how, unless this is about her feeling a bit insecure than being less than perfect. He's got some experience with that, considering he dated Jane and Blair was such a perfectionist that taking her to dinner was a two hour wait for her to get ready before leaving.]
I shall keep that in mind. Do you rely on insults often then?
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Mmm, not usually. Teasing's more fun, and insults really need to be earned. No one deserves to be casually cut down.
( She lets that thought slide away, her gaze cutting across the area and toward the various ways out into the casino from this 'ticket' prize counter. )
Ready to be on guard while I cafe nap for a while?
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[The fact that this girl is reminding him of Natasha isn't all that surprising. He's always found the spy to be kind in her own way, even when listing the sins of Loki while the rest of the Avengers wanted to kill his brother.]
I don't think I've heard it called a cafe nap before, but I am more than happy to guard your rest. I will take the time to read up on what is going on around here while you do so.
no subject
Now I want to hear about this friend of yours!
( See if they would get along if they ever had a chance to meet. The nicer kinds of thought exercises. )
Mmm, I'd call it a cat nap, but I don't see any cat cafes around here. Or any Cat Card cafes.
( Which is enough to set her back in motion, heading toward one of the nearby cafes. A little extra sleep was never going to hurt her, and who knows? Maybe Thor will read up on something she hasn't seen, and she'll have more information to go over when she wakes. )