Player Plot: The Golsaucian Gauntlet

[chefbayardee]

The OOC post for this event can be found here.

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!

Comments

[immortalmarshal]

A - The Doom Coaster~

Cor isn't so sure about taking all the advantages listed with his VIP pass. His talk with certain people shortly after his arrival had reminded him that things may not be as happy as people think it may be.

Even so, there is one thing he's considering using that VIP privilege, and it's that brand new ride that he's standing in front of the sign for. Tommy's quietly squealing over the cute little Tonberries painted onto one section of the train logo, but Cor's just quietly looking thoughtful. And twirling his pass in his hand.


C - Breaking down that Pyramid (Scheme)

Cor's eyes narrows upon hearing that sales pitch. Not to him, of course, but to someone else. It hardly matters if they're a familiar face or not. He recognizes the style of pitch, the gentle 'suggestion' that they should buy into it. It's bad enough he had to deal with a few extreme cases of this scheme once or twice back home, but for them to have the galls to pull it off here?

It's probably no surprise, then, that he's giving the 'sales' moogle a death glare, as if daring them to keep trying to fleece whoever the poor sap they're to.


G1 - Challenge of Body

Cor did not choose to wear a suit, no matter how much certain comrades asked him to. Instead, he's in full Red Mage gear, fancy beret and all, as he expertly works his way through the maze. A lifetime of dodging so many obstacles and attacks gain a boost in speed from his passive job, and he finds himself easily vaulting out of the way of a large boulder that some Malboro spat out at him. He's looking quite satisfied as soon as he reaches the end of his run, briefly (and a little awkwardly) waving his beret to the cheering crowd before slipping back-stage to await the next challenge.

G2 - Challenge of Mind

The electrical maze was a worthy challenge by itself; Cor will admit that. But making him go thru it while answering various questions? That's even more challenging. Thank the Six most of his questions were about monsters and fighting techniques. With so many creatures familiar to the older man, he breezes thru them as he focused on getting thru the maze without getting electrocuted.

He's just a little surprised that not only was the crowd roaring at his success, but at the sudden mass of...well, nerdy-looking people surrounding him without warning, begging for autographs and shouting their admiration. This results in a look that even his closest friends rarely see on his face: barely contained panic.

Why don't people here just give him his space?!

G3 - Challenge of Soul

Perhaps it was the rush of fans that made his focus falter. Perhaps it's just the use of a technique he hasn't done in a very long time. But there's only one reason why the old "spinning a top on a blade" trick didn't work so well, and it's not either of them. Being booed off the stage is...not the most pleasant thing to deal with, hence why he looks rather upset as he marches away from behind the curtains and towards the nearest room backstage.

G1

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis had done his run earlier, and it had... well, he survived and that was what counted. He was still getting used to not having magic and he was starting to suspect he was slower as well.

He also had refused the mascot costume. "Water's over there," he offered.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor nods his thanks before heading over there to grab a cup Accepting a towel from a random stagehand, he looks the other man over as if sizing him up, even as he towels off the sweat from his forehead.

"...interesting look," he finally comments.

[gathersnomoss]

"It's the face I've got," Zelgadis said, and he still couldn't keep a slight pang of bitterness about that. "Nice hat."

Smooth change of subject, Graywords.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor makes a bit of a face at that remark. "It's the least foppish thing the Guild's got right now."

[gathersnomoss]

"... That is a valid point. Half the Black Mage costumes don't even have pants." Yes, robes met basic standards of decency. But if Zelgadis was going out in the world, he didn't want to deal with them.

c

[garyoutensei]

His death glare may have done the trick on its own, but what really pulls the whole situation into the fireworks factory was Baiken's own reaction, not even aware they were being watched. Not yet, anyways.

"Ask me again, and I'm gonna remove your head from your shoulders, furball," she coldly remarked, and nothing about her expression suggested she was joking or wouldn't make good on her threat. The pitch-giving moogle started to panic. He looked at Baiken, gulped. He looked at Cor, gulped. He looked at Baiken's moogle, Suzuran, who offered no sympathy, only silently shaking her head.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor doesn't say much, just crossing his arms and continuing to death-glare at the 'sales' Moogle. The other person seems to have the matter at hand well enough for him not to pry much further.

Tommy the Cosplay Moogle, however, slowly floats closer to his fellow Moogle. "I'm sorry, sir, but I strongly recommend discussing this with someone else. For your business' sake, if nothing else..."

[garyoutensei]

"And their life. Don't forget that part," Baiken growled, tapping the pommel of her sword impatiently.

[immortalmarshal]

"E-Eh?!" Tommy gasps in surprise. Surely, the 'sales' Moogle isn't that much of a threat...are they?

Cor however, doesn't even bat an eye at Baiken's threat. Instead, he nods towards the female warrior. "I wouldn't piss her off if I were you. She's got the temper of a behemoth."

Which may or may not be true. Cor hasn't met her before, but his deadpan expression makes for a great enhancement on the bluff.

Doom Coaster!

[hashtagdaddy]

Noodle in tow, Gladio wanders towards the new roller coaster and stops in surprise when he sees Cor standing in front of it. With a gentle nudge, he points at the man and whispers something to his Moogle.

A giddy shout is all the warning Cor will have before Noodle flies towards him and all but bounces on her little feet as she looks between her companion's mentor and Tommy.

"Are you gonna ride the coaster, kupo?! Gladio wants to ride too! Kupo - and Noodle wants to ride! We can ride together, kupo, right?"

Smiling widely, Gladio's walked over now and gestures to the new ride. "So we gonna get on this coaster or what?"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor looks over his shoulder at the giddy shout, only a little surprised to see a certain Moogle eagerly asking the two of them if they wanted to ride it. A real smile, however, appears when Gladio joins them. Tommy waves happily to the younger man in greetings.

"We're considering it, but considering the warnings here, I'm not sure if you'd be up for the task." It's all in jest, though, on Cor's end. There's a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, one that would normally make certain members of their crew grow worried...

[hashtagdaddy]

That look stopped working on Gladio years ago, but he knows it for what it is and offers a fierce grin in return.

"You should be more concerned about your delicate constitution, old man." With a laugh, Gladio motions for Noodle to walk ... float ... whatever with Tommy towards the line as he further taunts his mentor.

"Besides, I'm not the one just standin' here looking at the thing."

Ah crap - I thought I replied to this earlier. ^^; my bad

[immortalmarshal]

Cor snorts at that silly ol' nickname. "Hate to disappoint you, punk, but I might still leave you in the dust someday."

Still, he's following after them, ignoring how Tommy's eagerly chatting to Noodle about the Tonberries riding the coaster on the sign. "And besides, I was merely contemplating."

No worries friend!

[hashtagdaddy]

"Contemplatin' if you're gonna get sick on that thing, I bet." His eyes roll at the nickname he used to hear often during training.

They move to officially stand in line and Gladio faces his Cor with a friendly smile. "Pretty sure the only thing you surpass me in is age, sir."

It's absolutely not true and they both know it for the joke that it is, Gladio being more than aware of how much he can still learn from the seasoned man he's lucky to call a friend as well as a mentor.

C., also please save her

[mythmaker]

"Only 40,000 gil?"

The Salesmoogles have directed so much of their attention on Azusa and the purse that she's clutching. 'That's right, kupo!', they cry out, detailing more and more of their plan to her. She nods and smiles as they go along.

"My, that sounds like it's too good to be true...and your cosmetics are all such unique colors."

It's tempting to sign up, really, but each idea sounds only 'kind of nice' to her. Hopefully, someone will snap her out of it before it's too late.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor notices Azusa having her purse in hand, and it makes him want to chew her out for being such an obvious target. But instead, he keeps giving the 'sales' Moogle a death glare as he finally approaches them. "You can probably find better quality cosmetics at a cheaper price, though."

Tommy, his Moogle, nods in agreement so hard that his burlap hood falls back from his head. "That's right! Kupooo, I know such a good place for them, too."

[mythmaker]

How could she have resisted? Moogles are incredibly cute, obviously. One thing led to another and here she is, though she smiles at Cor immediately when he comes to her defense.

"That's right, what I buy is usually cheaper..." She picks up lipstick that's a very dubious color. "And...I'm not really sure what I'd use this for."

She's trying to put the Moogles down easily here, but they quickly change their tune, bringing out bubble baths and oils that have ingredients Azusa's never heard of. Meanwhile, they're trying to subtly block off her view of Cor by flying in the air...

[immortalmarshal]

That...is very dubious a color. Cor's not one to wear make-up (unless a certain 'niece' asked him to try it during tea-time way-back-when), but even he could see that not being good for many occasions. That said, though, he glares all the harder when the bubble baths and shady oils get trodded out.

And since the Moogle's airborne...he could just 'accidentally' shoulder it aside as he steps in front of Azusa. "Why don't we follow Tommy and see if his suggestions would interest you as well? We're not salesmen, but I do trust his word on what's good around here."

Tommy beams with some small pride at his chosen human's praise.

[mythmaker]

Maybe she could see someone wearing if they were a frog in a play, but she's not exactly keen on the idea of re-enacting Gero-Gero anything at the moment. And at 40,000 gil? That's just too much.

"That sounds like a lovely idea~," she says quickly, and she's up and following Cor and Tommy outside. The Moogles look cross and yell out something about natural enhancement pills as a last attempt to hook Azusa (or Cor???) back in. But it's too late. Soon, they're outside safely, something Azusa's not sure she could have done on her own.

"I'm sorry about that," she starts, bowing her head. "I thought it wouldn't hurt to listen, but the more and more they spoke to me, the harder it was to say no."

Doom Coaster

[einspine]

And from behind, if he listens close enough, he might hear some sniffling. Why? Because that sure is a skeleton in goggles and a labcoat staring in awe upon that beautiful, majestic coaster. A skeleton-themed coaster.

"JUST LOOK AT IT! I CAN FEEL THE RAW POWER EMANATING FROM IT. THIS TRULY IS A TECHNICAL MILESTONE! A WORK OF TRUE ARTISTRY!!!"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor turns his head to give the loud speaker a look, but ends up staring at the...skeleton instead.

Talking, sentient skeleton? Check.
Loud? Check.
Wearing what appears to be lab-related gear? Check.

"...you must be Frisk's friend, right?"

[einspine]

Oh! This person knows Frisk? Papyrus beams, placing his hands on his hips. "NYEH HEH HEH! THAT'S RIGHT! I'M THE GREAT PAPYRUS, MASTER OF SCIENCE, PUZZLES, COOKING, AND FRISK FRIENDSHIP!!!"

As well as shouting, it seems, but that goes unsaid.

[immortalmarshal]

Tommy flinches from how loud Papyrus, covering his poor little ears a little.

Cor simply glares at him a bit more in the "you dunce" manner. "...Cor Leonis. Ran into him back at the Center. So you're the one looking after him, then?"

[einspine]

He puffs out his chest, still beaming, still very unfazed. "INDEED!!! FRISK'S SAFETY IS MY UTMOST PRIORITY. AFTER ALL, I PROMISED THAT I'D PROTECT THEM!"

And a Papyrus Promise is very serious business. He wouldn't dream of going back on his word.