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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! |
no subject
...I mean, it's not great that you're stuck here with the rest of us. But Vax will be glad to see you, at least!
Anyway, it's nice to meet you! Or, talk to you anyway. My name's Amy Rose. Vax has actually been teaching me archery.
no subject
I will be glad to see him as well. As soon as he shows his face. Of course, if I have to pull him out of the shadows myself, it will hardly be the first time.
[The fact that the girl mentions Vax'ildan teaching anyone archery is a little absurd.]
I'm surprise he isn't teach you to sneak around corners and lift off small trinkets that catch your eye. I'm the archer of the two of us. Although, I suppose he does know how to use a bow. Just not well.
no subject
Well, it's nice to meet you! I know Vax really missed you.
[ And she has noticed Vax's tendency to disappear sometimes, but that's hardly her place to really talk about it. Still, she's glad that he has someone he knows here now. ]
Well, it was kind of a thing. There was this camp, and we all had things we were assigned to help out with, and his was the archery area. And he did mention that you were the archery expert, but he also said that the things he showed me are things he picked up from you.
[ So there's that? ]
no subject
I have missed him as well. So, it's good that we're both here. How was he when you last saw him?
[She's not crying, but her voice is a bit tight. She's not talking about why though, because she will cry then. And that's the last thing she wants to do with this stranger. Better to cry all over Vax's stinky shoulder.]
I remember trying to get Vax to teach me about his knife work. He's not a terrible teacher. I suppose he was sufficient, but now that I'm here, I'll have to check his work to make sure he's not as bad as I remember.
no subject
[ But she doesn't quite know him well enough yet to tell when or if something is wrong.
Vex's choice of words does make her curious though. ]
You weren't with him before being brought here?
[ She'd heard that time was supposed to stop back home for them when they're brought here, but if Vex noticed her brother missing then that would change things a bit. ]
Oh yeah, he's a great teacher! I've never really done archery before and he's really helped me out.
no subject
[While they'd both been rejected by Syngorn and anger had been their weapons against the world, the abduction she faced that led to her finding Trinket had made Vex's distrust of outsiders that much worse. It's gotten a great deal better, but it's taken years for her to relearn that innate trust that Vax seemed willing to extend automatically.
However, both were accomplished liars and resorted to convincing lies to keep people from inquiring about them below the surface level they gave off. Unless they were completely trusted. So, it's not that surprising that this girl has no idea how Vax was at that moment.
But that question... she won't answer it. And it's a bit of a test to keep her voice flat and devoid of any emotion.]
No, I haven't seen him for quite some time.
[She'll be happy to know that time stops back home. Vex would rather not miss her daughter's life because some entity has kidnapped her.]
Well, he's not a terrible teacher, I suppose. I did learn how to pick a lock from him, but I'll have to test your skills to see just how helpful he's really been to a novice.
no subject
Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you run into him soon, it sounds like you two really need to catch up again.
[ It does make her worried that time is passing by at home while they were here. But she sets those feelings aside for now, because it sounded like they needed to find each other again. ]
Sure! I'd love to show you what I've learned!
no subject
Yes, we do have much to catch up. Especially since it seems like he's been here for a while if he's making friends such as yourself.
[She doesn't begrudge Vax his friends. They were separate people after all, despite what others might think. He's allowed to make friends without her there. She just doesn't have to like it.]
Wonderful. Perhaps once I find my way out of this eyesore of a realm.
no subject
Well, I'll let you go find him. He... should be around somewhere.
And if you need any help with anything, let me know!
no subject
Thank you for your offer, Amy. I hope we get to see one another in person so that I can thank you properly.
no subject
Sure! If you ever see a pink hedgehog wandering around, that's me, so feel free to say hi!
no subject
[What in all that is this side of a psychedelic trip?]
no subject
Yup! That's what I am. Hang on.
[ After a moment or two, Vex will receive a a picture of Amy. ]
no subject
That is certainly what you are. Is... is your coloring common where you're from?
[Vex, it's almost like you've never seen a Dragonborn or Genasi. Stop.]
no subject
You should see some of my friends. We're all a pretty colorful bunch.
no subject
[She's met Dragonborn and Genasi and even some of the fey themselves, but... Well, she hadn't expected to meet a hedgehog that both talked and was pink. It seems she's going to have to stop thinking quite so literally in this strange place.
And that's not the first time she's had to remind herself that things aren't always what they are.]
I suppose I'll reserve judgment until I meet you and all of your friends. If they're here as well.
no subject
[ She says as if she doesn't. ]
There are a few of them here. There are also... different versions of them? Like alternate versions from other worlds. So that's also something to keep an eye out for.
no subject
[That explanation does nothing to explain anything. And for a moment, Vex has to stop and piece together what she's heard into something coherent.]
So, there are different versions of people you know from different versions of your world. [She has a few words for that but none of them are suitable for anyone who isn't Vax'ildan or maybe Zahra. The joys of Abyssal, right?] That sounds exhausting, honestly. How do you keep everything straight?