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melodiesofeternity2018-06-14 05:29 am
chefbayardee) wrote in melodiesofeternity2018-06-14 05:29 am
Entry tags:
- [*] player plot,
- [au] frisk,
- [au] johnny d'amico,
- [au] papyrus,
- [au] selphie tilmitt,
- [au] sparks nevada,
- [ou] adrien agreste,
- [ou] baiken,
- [ou] camilla of nohr,
- [ou] castor westmoore,
- [ou] cor leonis,
- [ou] finn (star wars),
- [ou] futaba sakura,
- [ou] hunk,
- [ou] komaeda nagito,
- [ou] monika,
- [ou] naoto shirogane,
- [ou] okuyasu nijimura,
- [ou] s'reee,
- [ou] salieri,
- [ou] snow white,
- [ou] suzaku kururugi,
- [ou] takashi shirogane,
- [ou] terra,
- [ou] uendo toneido,
- [ou] zelgadis graywords
Player Plot: The Golsaucian Gauntlet
The OOC post for this event can be found here.
A. Doom Coaster: Into the Void (and other rides...)
PuPuLand and Sparks Golsaucia as a whole are rife with exotic and exciting means of entertainment. The amusement park rides are second to none, probably because there aren't many in other towns! And since it's time for the Gauntlet, there's no end of tourists from around the world looking to celebrate and let loose. The lines sure are long... but you don't have to care about that since you've got a VIP pass! Show it to the employees and presto, you move to the front of the line!
...Assuming anyone told you that you could use it to cut in lines, that is. You could be waiting in a line that's not moving, because some other VIPs (outworlders or not) leave the ride and go right back in. Maybe you're one of those people riding a ride until the end of your days! Maybe you're people watching, or far from the line, gripped with fear over a ride that's crushed your resolve. Whether it's the teacups, the rickety old roller coasters, the drop towers, or whatever else your heart desires, you better believe it's popular.
The biggest, newest, shiniest ride, however, is the Doom Coaster. Modeled after an old, skeleton-like train that oozes rust and black fog, the Virtual Reality experience is so real that some passengers seem to have the souls ripped right out of them! (The g-forces got to them, but whatever works for marketing!) The senses are assailed by a played-up, spooky adventure into the afterlife, and anyone who stays conscious through to the end gets a free t-shirt reading "I CONQUERED THE DOOM COASTER" in a bleeding font, underlined by the train cars themselves.
Think you can take it?
B. How Do We Measure Vaikunthan Cholesterol?
High-velocity amusement park rides bring to mind nausea, and you can't lose your lunch if you don't eat! All through PuPuLand are vendors of... less-than-healthy foods. Deep-fried Geezard Gizzards, deep-fried calamari, deep-fried ice cream, funnel cakes (deep-fried dough), deep-fried pizza, and- is that- is that a deep-fried salad!? PuPuLand claims zero responsibility for any cardiovascular damage incurred as a result of eating their foods. But they're the only option in the park...
So maybe you decide to leave and get food in Sparks Golsaucia proper. There are food trucks, and they're on more street corners than worldwide coffee chain Cactuarbucks! The variety is immense and a dream for any Gourmand worth their salt or any self-preserving being who's not into artery-clogging. They're a little pricier, but when the trip itself is free, why not treat yourself?
C. Moogle Marketeers
Sparks Golsaucia is dangerous for many reasons beyond the park rides and the fried foods- it houses the Tactician Guild, which works intimately with local businesses. All businesses. See, there's profit to be had in pyramid schemes as long as you're at the top, and any Tactician worthy of their asterisk would make sure that's where they are.
It may seem innocuous enough, a Moogle fluttering up to you asking if you're interested in a little work on the side. They talk about selling cosmetics, poorly-made clothes, esoteric minerals and oils, or even natural mog enhancement pills (for the pom-pom's fuzziness, naturally) with a warm smile. This company is a spiritual movement, a means of both enlightenment and exponentially growing income. It gives you a place to belong in this world, and the ability to help the newcomers find their place too!
There's just a 40,000 gil registration fee and another 20,000 for the starter kit, all nonrefundable. But maybe your contact is nice- they might be able to waive the costs if you can get a friend to sign up!
D. Are You Talkin' to Me?
The largest city in Vaikuntha means there's no shortage of crime and ne'er-do-wells. There could be a back alley shortcut involved, or you might've taken a step into the wrong side of town. It's almost as if with the turn of a corner, the bright, pastel lights of the city dimmed and flickered, well... except for the occasional red light.
But they're watching you. From across the street. From the windows. From the shadows. It doesn't matter, they're there, and you look like a target. You might hear the throaty chuckle of a Bangaa or a condescending "sho shorry" from a Hypello that forcefully bumped you as they walked by, and... did they steal your wallet?
Or maybe they're more overt, emerging from the shadows and snapping their fingers rhythmically. For more cold-blooded species, these Bangaa/Hypello thugs sure bring a lot of fiery passion to their theatrics. Maybe they deserve the money, they could probably take this on the road!
E. When the Chips are Down...
Maybe you don't like gambling on business deals and social networks. If you're a fan of slot machines, card tables, and a spin of the roulette wheel, PuPuLand's got you covered in spades. There are two casinos within the park's walls and a third just a block away from the entrance. Bet your bottom dollar you can find any game of chance, maybe some chocobo races, and if you're of a more rough-and-tumble sort, maybe even a fight club. With white mages on hand, of course; what are we, savages?
Be careful not to get too lucky, or you could end up with the wrong sort of attention.
F. ...Clubs are Wild
Night after night of Sparks Golsaucia and PuPuLand is bound to be tiresome, so maybe you're looking to unwind from your vacation. Could be a drink, or even a few hours of loud, thumping music and frenetic dancing. Unsurprisingly, they've got you covered here!
Surprisingly, there are some clubs and bars that are the quietest places in town once the sun goes down. Insulated walls, multiple doors between the outside and the club itself, and... bookshelves?! Is this an all-night library with soothing piano accompaniment and a zen garden meant to mimic the sound of rainfall? You betcha!
G. Golsaucian Gauntlet
Competitors, win or lose, are encouraged to use the results of the first three rounds of the Gauntlet in their Top-Levels, if they want. Pre-Gauntlet pep talks with a friend or rival, walks of fame, walks of shame, swarms of fans, whatever floats your boat.
H. Movements of Tiny Houses
Since smaller sorts live in Von Oktavia like Lalafell and Moogles, their houses are similarly proportioned. Smaller rooms, smaller bathtubs, smaller houses altogether. That means that while a strong hop could get you on someone's roof, a particularly bad stumble could send the whole thing crashing down.
And that costs money. Maybe you'll just look. Carefully. And never touch. Or if you do, you might have the joy of escaping the scene of the crime. No big deal.
I. Tiny Food, Big Appetites
The Golsaucian Gauntlet and a week in the lap of VIP Luxury means you're probably used to portions more... normal than what's served around Von Oktavia. While it's not quite this small, it does seem a bit closer to food for ants. So if hunger pangs happen to strike during this pit stop (typical of any road trip, really...), maybe you're inclined to take the hit to your wallet for a little extra, or maybe you're hangry and become one of those customers making a scene.
J. Mognet Central
Mognet Central is big and imposing, a stark contrast to the smaller buildings of the city. They need all that space, given how vital the net is to Vaikunthan infrastructure. It's impossible not to see this place, and maybe you want to go in.
Lucky for you, the ground floor is actually the world's largest iMog Store, with special cutting-edge products that you can't get to as easily at the Curti Center. The employees are bright and bubbly, eager to help you with all your needs. Even if you don't have the money to buy anything- they're getting paid by the hour!
K. Say Cheese!
Eventually it's time to leave and return to the Curti Center, and so everyone's gathered by the offices of the Oktavian Triumvirate. The Under-Secretary of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of an Executive Assistant's Assistant all but appears out of thin air due to eldritch bureaucratic magics, and shouts that a picture will be taken in five minutes.
How's your hair? Is that what you're wearing?! You still look a bit rough from the night before, maybe. Or you might just be against this entire thing, and you're trying to hide behind the crowd or duck away. That's difficult, because the arrival of the Under-Secretary of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of an Executive Assistant's Assistant brought with it her assistants, who are cutting off a lot of the exits. Maybe you need to use a human shield.
Or maybe you're gonna dab on camera. They never said it had to be a serious photo!
Sparks Golsaucia
A. Doom Coaster: Into the Void (and other rides...)
PuPuLand and Sparks Golsaucia as a whole are rife with exotic and exciting means of entertainment. The amusement park rides are second to none, probably because there aren't many in other towns! And since it's time for the Gauntlet, there's no end of tourists from around the world looking to celebrate and let loose. The lines sure are long... but you don't have to care about that since you've got a VIP pass! Show it to the employees and presto, you move to the front of the line!
...Assuming anyone told you that you could use it to cut in lines, that is. You could be waiting in a line that's not moving, because some other VIPs (outworlders or not) leave the ride and go right back in. Maybe you're one of those people riding a ride until the end of your days! Maybe you're people watching, or far from the line, gripped with fear over a ride that's crushed your resolve. Whether it's the teacups, the rickety old roller coasters, the drop towers, or whatever else your heart desires, you better believe it's popular.
The biggest, newest, shiniest ride, however, is the Doom Coaster. Modeled after an old, skeleton-like train that oozes rust and black fog, the Virtual Reality experience is so real that some passengers seem to have the souls ripped right out of them! (The g-forces got to them, but whatever works for marketing!) The senses are assailed by a played-up, spooky adventure into the afterlife, and anyone who stays conscious through to the end gets a free t-shirt reading "I CONQUERED THE DOOM COASTER" in a bleeding font, underlined by the train cars themselves.
Think you can take it?
B. How Do We Measure Vaikunthan Cholesterol?
High-velocity amusement park rides bring to mind nausea, and you can't lose your lunch if you don't eat! All through PuPuLand are vendors of... less-than-healthy foods. Deep-fried Geezard Gizzards, deep-fried calamari, deep-fried ice cream, funnel cakes (deep-fried dough), deep-fried pizza, and- is that- is that a deep-fried salad!? PuPuLand claims zero responsibility for any cardiovascular damage incurred as a result of eating their foods. But they're the only option in the park...
So maybe you decide to leave and get food in Sparks Golsaucia proper. There are food trucks, and they're on more street corners than worldwide coffee chain Cactuarbucks! The variety is immense and a dream for any Gourmand worth their salt or any self-preserving being who's not into artery-clogging. They're a little pricier, but when the trip itself is free, why not treat yourself?
C. Moogle Marketeers
Sparks Golsaucia is dangerous for many reasons beyond the park rides and the fried foods- it houses the Tactician Guild, which works intimately with local businesses. All businesses. See, there's profit to be had in pyramid schemes as long as you're at the top, and any Tactician worthy of their asterisk would make sure that's where they are.
It may seem innocuous enough, a Moogle fluttering up to you asking if you're interested in a little work on the side. They talk about selling cosmetics, poorly-made clothes, esoteric minerals and oils, or even natural mog enhancement pills (for the pom-pom's fuzziness, naturally) with a warm smile. This company is a spiritual movement, a means of both enlightenment and exponentially growing income. It gives you a place to belong in this world, and the ability to help the newcomers find their place too!
There's just a 40,000 gil registration fee and another 20,000 for the starter kit, all nonrefundable. But maybe your contact is nice- they might be able to waive the costs if you can get a friend to sign up!
D. Are You Talkin' to Me?
The largest city in Vaikuntha means there's no shortage of crime and ne'er-do-wells. There could be a back alley shortcut involved, or you might've taken a step into the wrong side of town. It's almost as if with the turn of a corner, the bright, pastel lights of the city dimmed and flickered, well... except for the occasional red light.
But they're watching you. From across the street. From the windows. From the shadows. It doesn't matter, they're there, and you look like a target. You might hear the throaty chuckle of a Bangaa or a condescending "sho shorry" from a Hypello that forcefully bumped you as they walked by, and... did they steal your wallet?
Or maybe they're more overt, emerging from the shadows and snapping their fingers rhythmically. For more cold-blooded species, these Bangaa/Hypello thugs sure bring a lot of fiery passion to their theatrics. Maybe they deserve the money, they could probably take this on the road!
E. When the Chips are Down...
Maybe you don't like gambling on business deals and social networks. If you're a fan of slot machines, card tables, and a spin of the roulette wheel, PuPuLand's got you covered in spades. There are two casinos within the park's walls and a third just a block away from the entrance. Bet your bottom dollar you can find any game of chance, maybe some chocobo races, and if you're of a more rough-and-tumble sort, maybe even a fight club. With white mages on hand, of course; what are we, savages?
Be careful not to get too lucky, or you could end up with the wrong sort of attention.
F. ...Clubs are Wild
Night after night of Sparks Golsaucia and PuPuLand is bound to be tiresome, so maybe you're looking to unwind from your vacation. Could be a drink, or even a few hours of loud, thumping music and frenetic dancing. Unsurprisingly, they've got you covered here!
Surprisingly, there are some clubs and bars that are the quietest places in town once the sun goes down. Insulated walls, multiple doors between the outside and the club itself, and... bookshelves?! Is this an all-night library with soothing piano accompaniment and a zen garden meant to mimic the sound of rainfall? You betcha!
G. Golsaucian Gauntlet
Competitors, win or lose, are encouraged to use the results of the first three rounds of the Gauntlet in their Top-Levels, if they want. Pre-Gauntlet pep talks with a friend or rival, walks of fame, walks of shame, swarms of fans, whatever floats your boat.
Von Oktavia
H. Movements of Tiny Houses
Since smaller sorts live in Von Oktavia like Lalafell and Moogles, their houses are similarly proportioned. Smaller rooms, smaller bathtubs, smaller houses altogether. That means that while a strong hop could get you on someone's roof, a particularly bad stumble could send the whole thing crashing down.
And that costs money. Maybe you'll just look. Carefully. And never touch. Or if you do, you might have the joy of escaping the scene of the crime. No big deal.
I. Tiny Food, Big Appetites
The Golsaucian Gauntlet and a week in the lap of VIP Luxury means you're probably used to portions more... normal than what's served around Von Oktavia. While it's not quite this small, it does seem a bit closer to food for ants. So if hunger pangs happen to strike during this pit stop (typical of any road trip, really...), maybe you're inclined to take the hit to your wallet for a little extra, or maybe you're hangry and become one of those customers making a scene.
J. Mognet Central
Mognet Central is big and imposing, a stark contrast to the smaller buildings of the city. They need all that space, given how vital the net is to Vaikunthan infrastructure. It's impossible not to see this place, and maybe you want to go in.
Lucky for you, the ground floor is actually the world's largest iMog Store, with special cutting-edge products that you can't get to as easily at the Curti Center. The employees are bright and bubbly, eager to help you with all your needs. Even if you don't have the money to buy anything- they're getting paid by the hour!
K. Say Cheese!
Eventually it's time to leave and return to the Curti Center, and so everyone's gathered by the offices of the Oktavian Triumvirate. The Under-Secretary of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of an Executive Assistant's Assistant all but appears out of thin air due to eldritch bureaucratic magics, and shouts that a picture will be taken in five minutes.
How's your hair? Is that what you're wearing?! You still look a bit rough from the night before, maybe. Or you might just be against this entire thing, and you're trying to hide behind the crowd or duck away. That's difficult, because the arrival of the Under-Secretary of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of an Executive Assistant's Assistant brought with it her assistants, who are cutting off a lot of the exits. Maybe you need to use a human shield.
Or maybe you're gonna dab on camera. They never said it had to be a serious photo!
open
[Sparks naturally thought he was a shoe-in for this contest. Unfortunately, he has a slight accident during the Body portion, slipping on a mat that he's jumped onto and sliding head first into a post. The audience collectively winces in pain, but cheers when Sparks manages to stay on his feet, and not fall off the slim platform. He gives the audience a wave to indicate he was okay, and he goes on to finish in the nick of time. He'd have liked a better time, but hey, he was lucky at this point he finished at all.
The damage is evident when he gets to the Mind portion next. While he looked okay on the outside, seems like his brain got rattled a bit. He's called on three times by the hosts before he realizes what's going on.]
Oh. Uh, me? ...What was the question again?
[Street Food]
[Later, the marshal can be found outside with an icepack taped to his head and has been given doctor's orders to take it easy. No rides, no drinking. He's sitting with a skewer of fried veggies looking miserable.]
...Okay, I can't drink but... I could still go to a bar or something, right?
no subject
[Up slithers his old friend Dylas. Funny, he hasn't seen the sheriff since he did or did not steal that Chocobo Eater's soul and walked away with an egg for his troubles. Yue's with it right now.]
What the hell happened to you? You fall down and try to catch yourself with your head?
no subject
What? No. As a matter 'a fact, I didn't fall at all. Managed to stay upright 'n finish the... thing. [The Gauntlet.] I told 'em I was fine but they don't believe me.
It's just... Everyone's out celebratin' after the contest and I'm sittin' here with fod on a stick. I'm bored.
i just realized he's supposed to be at pupuland? whatever
[He has to pick the last word carefully because he's not sure he actually feels bad for whatever's going on here or not. What he does know? Is that Sparks isn't really all that annoying, so he decides to hang out.]
...You wanna go fight one of those weird blue guys?
[He's helping!]
it's fiiiine
Ah. Well. Generally it's frowned upon fer cops to just pick a fight with guys just for the fun of it.
[There's a beat or two as Sparks looks around to make sure no one else is listening. He shrugs casually.]
Then again, if I happen to be in a bar where a fight breaks out, well, I'm just gonna have to get involved, ain't I?
Re: it's fiiiine
Gross.
[He shuffles, leaning to look past Sparks.]
I'm not talking about a bar fight. If you walk around in the wrong neighborhood, they'll try to steal your wallet. Someone should put a stop to it.
[That's as wink, wink, nudge, nudge as Dylas gets.]
no subject
Huh. Yeah, yer right. Would be a real dumb move if some thief tried to hold up a plain-clothes cop.
[Sparks gets to his feet, ready to follow along with Dylas. And maybe he should take off this ice pack while he's at it.
Is this the best idea? Probably not.]
no subject
[It turns out Wendigo!Dylas is a lot more sad than Naga!Dylas. The Dylas Sparks is talking to still delights in the hunt, is no longer plagued by perpetual hunger and a dead heart and body. If he were asked, he'd say he felt comfortable in this body.
Which is why ten minutes later, they're in the bad part of town. Dylas has asked Sparks to walk in front. No one is going to pick the pocket of a snake man, especially since Dylas isn't wearing pants.]
...Maybe you need to walk further ahead of me or something. I stand out too much.
no subject
He'll speed up and get a few paces ahead of Dylas. It's not long until someone's tracking them and following along in the crowd.]
no subject
[His answer is so quick, so dry that it's impossible to whether or not he's joking. Maybe Sparks is used to that by now.
Dylas recognizes that they've been marked after a ways of slithering. It's something he's picked up while hunting; to be a hunter, you also have to know when you're being hunted.
He keeps going, waiting to see if they go after him or Sparks. Like he'd guessed earlier, a Hypello speeds up, walking closer and closer to Sparks, a friend of his not too far behind...]
no subject
Too late for that, though. The hypello is on Sparks's trail, and manages to grab his wallet when Sparks has to stop for some people passing in front of him.
Sparks doesn't even seem to notice. What do, Dylas?]
no subject
[He says this only loud enough for himself to hear, of course, but there's a certain satisfaction in voicing that thought to begin with. He's torn. He could pretend to follow along and act surprised when Sparks realizes his wallet is missing, but.
Dammit, he just barely likes Sparks enough to
carebother with this Hypello. And the blue guy doesn't even know what hits him. Literally. Dylas slams half of his tail into the Hypello, and the wallet falls to the ground.]Huh. Looks like you dropped something.
no subject
Whoops.]
Wait, what? Did he-- Did you just--
[Yeah, okay. Maybe this concussion is affecting him a little more than he thought.]
...Dangit. Yeah, looks like I did. Um. Thank you.
no subject
[The Hypello is sweating bullets, however, as Dylas wraps an arm around him in a way that would seem friendly...but is that really attention he wants from a naga? Nope. He protests, making up an excuse to leave, but Dylas' tail is just everywhere, blocking off his escape.]
You have anything you want to say to him, officer?
no subject
Don't gimme that look. C'mon.
[He goes to take control of the perp from Dylas, but stops short.]
Um.
Maybe you should hold on to him. Y'know. Just cuz ya already do.
[And definitely not because Sparks isn't running on a full tank right now. Nope.]
(no subject)
Street Food
[Uendo skips over with a stick of cotton candy in hand -- though unbeknownst to Sparks, it's actually Patches who's in control. He gives his former housemate a cheerful grin.]
Glad you're still out and about after that nasty bump you got! How's your poor noggin doing?
no subject
He grimaces a little at the mention of the Gauntlet. Pretty much everyone he knows here had to have seen that.]
Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Honestly. I've been through way worse than that.
no subject
[The number one way Patches tries to cheer up people he likes? Ego boosts.]
Y'know, it was pretty amazing how you stuck around for the quiz part. Most people would have just chickened out, but nope -- even with a concussion, you faced 'em down like a man! That was so cool!
no subject
Oh, uh... Yeah. Well. I wasn't givin' up. There was a chance...?
no subject
['I don't think that worked, Patches,' Uendo interjects. Patches blinks, realizing belatedly that Sparks isn't exactly glowing at the flattery.]
Hey, why the long face? Don't you believe me?
no subject
[Normally he's all about flattery, but he's more bummed out that he lost.]
I knew I had the gumption to make it to the end, but one slip of my foot ended that. We should done the Mind challenge first...
no subject
[He plops down to sit next to Sparks and gives him a pat on the back. Inside, Uendo switches to the front.]
My Shisho used to say failure toughens you up. Doesn't really make you feel any better in the moment, though, does it?
no subject
I can try again next year. Now I know what to be ready for.
[That brings him to another realization, though.]
Aw jeez. Am I really gonna be here that long?
no subject
I wonder. I have to admit, I went into all this thinking it was going to be like... a vacation, I suppose. But after that trip we took to the Dream Width... Seeing what it was like in Crystallis...
[Now that had been a nasty wake-up call.]
I guess we're in this for the long-haul, huh?
no subject
...I was in Crystallis for, uh... eight-ish years. For five of those we were all kinda in like a coma so I don't know if those count?
[How about the 20+ years he spent with the gang as crystal outside Aqures Tosf?]
Oh, wait, it mighta been like, thirty-ish years, really... Look, it's all complicated, alright? I don't wanna think about it with this headache, neither.