etrayamods: (Default)
∎ ETRAYA MODS ∎ ([personal profile] etrayamods) wrote in [community profile] etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
Entry tags:

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 ⏴
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

bigpoofymammoth: (Default)

[personal profile] bigpoofymammoth 2025-05-30 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
In regard to the Colosseum Battles, are the beasts fought there strictly from the Final Fantasy franchise or can they originate from the other series, whether they’re already represented in Etraya or not?
untsundered: (248)

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV (new character)

[personal profile] untsundered 2025-05-30 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Arrival

[Well, this is not at all what he was expecting, to say the very least of it! When he closed his eyes, accepting his fate at the hands of Kairos, this is entirely outside of anything bordering on the realm of possibility! Alright, maybe that isn't fully true, but all the same he did not expect to be dumped into some strange Colosseum to fight against some pitiful creation that could barely stand a chance against him. It was so...small, in fact, everything here is so small that Emet-Selch finds himself annoyed that he needs to modify himself to even fit through the door to head into the main area!

Of course he is quick to place his mask upon his face, he isn't going to be walking around indecent even if the place is utterly alien to him. Though, he does look rather strange dressed in black robes with a red and white mask covering half his face, the mask itself fashioned into an eternal scowl. Fitting, given that after the bot has attempted to give him an explanation, along with the ear piece, Emet-Selch does not seem pleased by any of this, not when he has far more pressing matters to attend to than...whatever this is.

However, he will approach others he sees that are similarly perplexed, or maybe even those who seem perfectly fine with the situation, looking for further insight than what those automatons will give him. At least he isn't standing at his natural 16'9" tall, and has since shrunk himself down to a more modest 6'7.5"!]


I am Emet-Selch of the Convocation of Fourteen and I have questions for you.

[He really could make it sound less like he's accusing them of something, but he doesn't particularly make an effort to do so...]


II. Around the Saucer

[Emet-Selch is a little bit of a No Fun Allowed sort of guy, or at least he is when he isn't being dragged by his two besties off towards chaotic nonsense adventures. Being brought here does not inspire the man for shenanigans, and while he wouldn't be in the best of moods being spirited away to a place like this under normal circumstances, he was brought here under...distressing ones. That he somehow can't escape is also perplexing, and his authority his title should afford him does not seem to hold much water either. No matter how many times he has tried to verbally bully the companion bots into submission, he has been met with more or less the same result: the outline for the mission.

It's all such nonsense to him.

Which is to say, Emet-Selch has no interest in these games, in this mission, or mingling with what he would otherwise view as creations. So, while he's haunting the Gold Saucer with his irritable presence, one is not likely to see him joining in the fun. However, he is observing others at times, at least when it comes to the games that are out in public. He isn't like to comment if someone is succeeding at a game, can't go giving them an inflated ego or the like, but they will not be spared his criticisms as is his wont.]


At this rate you may very well complete this so-called mission within the next century.

[As if he has any room to talk when he won't lift a finger himself to complete it.]


III. Wildcard

[Feel free to hit me up with your own prompt! Emet will be around to be bothered, and he is oh so botherable! If you wanna hash something out feel free to hit me up on discord(Zanono) or [plurk.com profile] Zornsable!]
Edited 2025-05-30 21:05 (UTC)
sophielicious: (Default)

[personal profile] sophielicious 2025-05-30 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
question! are characters able to leave the gold saucer and return to etraya and vice-versa?
nimbuster: (Default)

Re: mod queries.

[personal profile] nimbuster 2025-05-30 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
are any of Cloud's high scores still there in any of the games that come from the VII version? XD or is it more of a separate instance of the place?
auderes: (pic#17880146)

[personal profile] auderes 2025-05-30 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Question about the bots! If prodded for more information about the general situation outside of the Golden Saucer specifically (a.k.a 'what's all this about??') will they offer up an explanation roughly along the lines of what Aurora would have divulged or do they stick to the 'collect gp, trade card' instruction?
closetdweller: (doin me a concern)

Hanzo Urushihara | The Devil is a Part Timer!

[personal profile] closetdweller 2025-05-30 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Arrival

What do you mean this isn't Japan?

[The pint sized nerd covered in feathers-- courtesy of being dumped in a stable full of very large, very yellow birds when he awoke, argued with the bot that was patiently trying to explain the situation to him. His shaggy purple hair was a mess and, barefoot as he was, he was clearly ill prepared for any sort of outdoor venture.]

What in the Last Fantasia is this? I just wanna go home and play Moonview River, okay? This is all BS...

[The grumbling was punctuated with a pout-- typical of any moody teenager.]

Haunted House

It's okay, Luci.

[The teenager muttered to himself as he snuck down the halls, nerves a rolling tangle of anxiety that was familiar and frustrating. He was better than this.]


It's just a spooky house. You hid out in that creepy building at the high school by yourself. So what if that science model was crap and said that humans only have one heart?

[He stopped short-- and sucked in a breath as the floors creaked beneath his feet. Urushihara pressed himself against a wall and peered around a corner into the shadows, checking for threats.]


It doesn't matter. Ente Isla was scarier before the Boss Man got to work...

Wildcard

[Feel free to make up a plot if you don't see something you like. Urushihara is more capable than he appears. Hmu on Plurk at @ [plurk.com profile] woodrift if you want to chat.]
Edited 2025-05-30 18:45 (UTC)
auderes: (pic#17357281)

Dick Grayson | DC Comics

[personal profile] auderes 2025-05-30 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
⏵ the golden saucer ⏴

  • [ This possibly isn't the weirdest situation that Dick has ever been subjected to, but it's definitely ranking high, a lot higher than he would have expected when he rolled out of bed this morning. Or late afternoon, more accurately. The last thing he actually remembers is heading out for a late night pizza run that typically came with the potential for Nightwing detours. Exactly how he got from that to being thrown into a battle arena to face off against some kind of dragon... fish... thing? that apparently wants to treat him like a chew toy? He's working on it. After he deals with the impromptu battle, that is, where honed reflexes and years of training are particularly useful in making up for the general disorientation.

    He does end up shedding his outer layers — a black jacket over a blue, button-down shirt and jeans — to fight in his suit instead, at least he has that, but he's quick to tug those back on before he makes his way out of the arena and into some wild combination of a massive casino and an equally massive arcade. After getting what he can out of the bots, which is a lot to digest to say the least, he's left with the earpiece. It's an interesting piece of tech that offers up an array of information that's slightly difficult to parse amidst all the bright lights and cheerful, energetic music that flood the space around him.

    He's gonna need a minute to get his bearings.

    Meanwhile he can be found browsing some of the more familiar looking game machines, ones that look like they would be right up Damian's alley, but his attention is mostly split between scanning the crowd and fiddling with the earpiece interface rather than immediately jumping into the GP grind. If anyone seems to notice him lingering his focus shifts easily, and he'll offer up a wry smile. ]


    You new to this too?


⏵ leap of faith ⏴

  • [ This game was made for Dick Grayson.

    There is a moment of concern at first, when he's peering up at the course looming over his head, about the consequences of falling— not because he's worried about himself, but he can see a number of people jumping and dashing over platforms that are precariously balanced at best, and a fall like that for someone who doesn't know how to handle it is no joke. It doesn't take long to figure out that falling here isn't a problem though, as strange as that is, and after that? This is actually, genuinely fun to the point where, for at least a few minutes, he's not feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation he's in here. He has to focus on the immediate anyway, which is earning enough to get that super special personalized card, apparently.

    He's back in the suit for this one, naturally, and he's leaping from platform to platform as smoothly as if he's memorized these courses ahead of time, dancing right up along narrow ledges and swinging to collect those statuettes as he zips his way toward the top. And while it is a competition, and there's no real consequence for falling, he's still going to be the guy that stops to catch anyone wobbling on the edge, tugging them back onto a solid surface by an arm or the back of their shirt. ]


    That was a close one.

    [ Or, when presented with a challenger that's closer to his level he's much more likely to tease them while trying to stay ahead, not going so far as to intentionally try to sabotage them into falling, just to trip them up a little. Especially if they manage to overtake the lead. ]

    Oops?

    [ The grin kinda gives it away. ]


⏵ haunted house ⏴

  • [ Dick has spent most of his life living in huge cities, places where there are bright lights and noise and crowds and rarely a moment of relative peace, to him all of that is a background hum that's familiar and routine. So being here in this sea of noise and neon isn't all that jarring in itself, but still, after a while he does find himself gravitating toward what seems like the quietest, least glaring part of the sprawling complex. The woods leading up to the hotel aren't real, as convincing as they might seem at a causal inspection, but he finds himself lingering there anyway, back in his civvies, sitting with his back up against a tree where he's got a good view of the night sky overhead.

    He'll get back to work before too long, with his proficiency at the more physical games he's been accruing GP at a decent rate, he's just... letting it all sink in, which is easier said than done. At least he's past the point of believing that it all might be some kind of fever dream or hallucination. Mostly. He couldn't afford to let himself believe that anyway, not when the stakes are so high.

    If someone else is also looking to take a break before heading into the hotel proper he wouldn't mind the company. ]


[ ooc: I'm totally down to wildcard it up, so if you want to plot something with another prompt or take a different twist on these (especially for anyone who would recognize him) just toss it in here or hit me up either in pm or at [plurk.com profile] volantes! ]
Edited 2025-05-30 20:01 (UTC)
miniroth: (Default)

Re: mod queries.

[personal profile] miniroth 2025-05-30 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Is the Saucer a location they could leave and come back to later over the course of it being there? Go home to sleep, come back later to play more games, change clothes etc?
nimbuster: (Default)

[personal profile] nimbuster 2025-05-30 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, now I know what his goal is here XD ty!
knightowl: (008)

Leap of faith

[personal profile] knightowl 2025-05-30 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Once again, Bruce is in no condition to participate in the physical challenges. So he's content himself to watch the others make their attempts, quietly critiquing their forms and making note of every misstep and mistake that would lead to a fall if it were not for the helpful stranger landing alongside them.

"Stranger."

Bruce knows exactly who he is. Knew the minute he stepped onto the platform and he did not need the suit to recognize him. It's in how Dick moves, the way he flips and turns and lands with so much grace he might as well have been made of water. That landing could have been better, but Bruce is still impressed. He watches - Dick in particular - for ages until the course is done and he finally lands on solid ground again. That should have been enough. Bruce should have taken his leave, but, if he were honest, seeing Dick again after all this time eased the ache of some unmended part of him. So he lingers, just to see until he's seen himself, eyes locking with Dick's. He doesn't know if he's been recognized - he imagines the Bruce Dick knows is far younger - but it's not a chance he's willing to take.

That's his cue to take his dog and head in the opposite direction. ]
batsymbol: 𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚜𝚢𝚖𝚋𝚘𝚕 (pic#16557448)

haunted house.

[personal profile] batsymbol 2025-05-30 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
( From the moment he first caught wind of Dick's presence, he's been both trailing and keeping an eye on him from a distance, trying to determine just what or who it is he's dealing with here. The concept of leaving this place, only to return some time later is not lost on him. There's a couple that have left and then returned, memories of their time in Etraya intact, but. Given how hard Damian had taken Dick's disappearance and Damian being both his son and Robin here for the past year now, he's taking it upon himself to make sure this isn't a ruse of some sort crafted by this place and those within power of Etraya and, if it is, he'll deal with it so Damian doesn't have to. Sure, he might be mad at him for that if it turns out to be just that, but when has Bruce, regardless of age, ever been one to do anything other than what he deems to be for the best?

Most of his observing has been done out of costume, but when he finally decides to get a little closer, it's in the batsuit — his version of the suit. It's not the one the others are used to — an early model and lacks any sort of lenses much to the dismay of the others, but. That's where greasepaint beneath the cowl comes in. Doesn't shield the eyes, but helps conceal his identity at least.

When Dick's decided to make himself comfortable against one of the so-called trees they have here, he gives it a bit before he steps out from the shadows and stands a little ways from it, gaze lingering on the first Robin who'd disappeared from here, cape gentle in the way it slowly wraps around him some. )


What are you doing here?

( He'll just start with that and go from there. )
brat: (17100801)

leap of faith. ish.

[personal profile] brat 2025-05-30 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
( most would, upon seeing an unexpected face about, offer a friendly hello. wave a hand. extend a smile. normal people greetings. but damian wayne has never been one for normal greetings, and these aren't normal circumstances.

as nightwing leaps from one platform to another, robin comes swinging in fast. his cloak is pulled up over his head, intentionally hiding any features that would identify him but it's not as if he expects that to help for long if at all against the man he's attacking. especially not when he drops the grapple line he'd been using, completely ignoring the rules of the game itself so he can more efficiently make his way straight for the familiar blue and -

it's not a hug, but considering the way robin aims to grab onto nightwing via wrapping his legs around the man's shoulders and throwing his weight into his upper half to knock him forward and down, it may as well be considered one. it's physical contact without attempts at bloodshed, that's close enough. )
rudelanguage: (Default)

[personal profile] rudelanguage 2025-05-30 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Can materia-infused weapons be kept if someone rolls a decent-enough sleight of hand check?
lumenate: (001)

Lumen Grier | Original

[personal profile] lumenate 2025-05-30 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Arrival

[ It’s not the first time Lumen’s found herself wandering around a casino feeling lost and a little delirious, but it’s certainly the first time she’s done it in a full combat kit with a rifle in her hands. She shifts from foot to foot, uneasy, wondering how she ended up on a snowboard track and now a casino because even in bizarro land, those two things don’t seem to track.

She’s here, though. After a moment, she tugs her helmet off and hooks it to her chest plate. Waving her hand awkwardly. ]


Hi. Uh, you know where we are? Because I gotta say, I’m a little confused.

Beehive Lounge

[ Lumen doesn’t really like wearing dresses but she likes nightclubs just fine and so she’s wandering around in combat boots, socks, and a black shift that mostly fits, even if it’s too tight around the shoulders and bunches awkwardly around her prosthetic arm. She’s lazing around, watching the dancers, occasionally trying to flirt with a pretty girl by showing off her tattoos or attempting a one-handed card trick. She’ll knock back drinks easily and often, but an observant watcher might notice she never gets drunk. ]

Hey!

[ Hi, stranger. You’ve wandered into sight of an extrovert. Lumen grins and wiggles her fingers. ]

So, is this what people do around here? Just hang out and buy playing cards and party?

Wildcard

[ Hit me up at [plurk.com profile] mirrorfaded if you’re in the mood for something specific! ]
leastdramatic: ([RH] Rule enforcement)

Leap of Faith

[personal profile] leastdramatic 2025-05-31 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
[The setting might be different but Jason recognizes that suit and those acrobatic moves from anywhere. Plus, the obstacle course isn't much different from the games the Wayne siblings play back home, like rooftop racing.

So Jason literally leaps at the chance to see Dick again. He rolls his eyes at the grin Dick shoots before jumping up and rolling past him. Jason knows he isn't as graceful or as fast as his older brother but he's always ready to show he's no slouch at gymnastics either]
doctoral: (pigalle39)

arrival

[personal profile] doctoral 2025-05-31 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not totally sure, but we probably don't need riot gear.

[ Reid is fairly at home in a casino, though he's not cheating at the moment. He's just taking the lay of the land and trying to get a grasp on things, nerves up, anxious. By now he has enough experience as an FBI agent not to really let on -- he's composed, eyes bright, inquisitive -- but internally he's freaking out more than a little.

Still, his instinct is to deescalate. A lanky, nerdy figure in a sweater vest with a too-big pistol on his hip, he's a bit of an oxymoron. ]


I'm Spencer, [ he says calmly, trying to be soothing. ] I just got here myself. Your gun makes me a little nervous.

[ That's true, and intentionally admitted to see what she'll do with it. ]
her_own_rules: Batgirl, Grappel (pic#17247706)

ʟᴇᴀᴘ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀɪᴛʜ. || ᴀꜱ ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛᴇᴅ. 😘

[personal profile] her_own_rules 2025-05-31 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
ʜᴏᴘ, ꜱᴋɪᴘ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜᴍᴘ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏᴘ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ-ᴅᴇꜰʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴇꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀᴛʜʟᴇᴛɪᴄɪꜱᴍ. ᴡɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄʟɪᴍʙ ꜱᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛᴡᴀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜ ʟɪɴᴇ, ᴏʀ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ᴛʀᴏᴘʜɪᴇꜱ ᴘʀᴇᴄᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ᴘᴇʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ᴀʟᴏɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ? ᴛᴏ ꜱᴄᴀʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʀꜱᴇ'ꜱ ᴅɪᴢᴢʏɪɴɢ ʜᴇɪɢʜᴛꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ʀᴇQᴜɪʀᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢ ʟᴇɢꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇʀ ꜱᴛᴏᴍᴀᴄʜ. ᴏʀ ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ʟᴇᴀᴘ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀɪᴛʜ.

ʟᴏᴅᴇꜱᴛᴏɴᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴀᴜᴄᴇʀ
[ Of course, Barbara's out here already.

In the long litany of events and openings on order in this Next Level! Video Game Looking New World mission, of course, she would pick the one made of floating platforms and islands. The one with 'supposed death-defying' heights. Which actually aren't. The first person to fall and bounce—amid a panoply of heart attacks for anyone watching and then racing toward the person in the hopes of them not becoming the next splat on the ground—made it clear just how not death-defying it was.

It wasn't any kind of death at all.

Which is, in its own way, new. Given the risks of the last place.

This may have started as the only challenge that looked interesting, but she sort of fell into it once she was there. There are not enough places to do what most of their family does in Etraya or the surrounding worlds. Only a select number with anything tall enough, spread enough, and not absolutely haunted empty at the same time. So. Yeah. Maybe. She lets herself get a little lost in it. Especially when clearing the mini-mission goal takes less than five minutes, but doesn't shunt her anywhere else, and so she can return to collecting the Bronze, Silver, and Gilded Cactuars she passed getting there.

When she isn't not focusing on that at all, and just letting the rush of the wind take her from the semi-preoccupation of her thoughts for the last few weeks. Letting herself leap, grapple gun in hand and not extended, falling faster and faster, further and further down, without any fear, only the racing exhilaration of the thrill. That space where there's nothing more than a sharp smile, the merciless iron grip of gravity, and the mathematics of how far to fall, how many seconds the grapple will need to catch, how wide or fast it'll send her swing, to make it within inches or feet of hitting. But never doing so.

It's pure, and in the moment, and there's a freedom she hasn't had in a bit. Sure. Maybe the lack of any danger in it makes her a little more lax in just how long she lets it go—lets herself fall and fall and fall, picking up speed, icy wind pricky pink on her cheeks—before snapping it out and slicing fast through the air, and sending herself rounding the edge of the next island at high speed without quite seeing just what—or who—might be already in that space.

( Because, well, no one else has been yet.






Oops? ) ]
Edited 2025-05-31 01:51 (UTC)