ARENA 04-Decay

[gamemakers]

For some this is starting to be routine. For some it is new, and little is done to ease them into it. The peacekeepers are never warm on these flights, but they are rougher, quieter today, and after having their tracking devices inserted or reactivated, the tributes don't see them until they are lead to small, metal rooms.

They are dressed quietly by their stylist, and the stylist move quicker this time, dressing them in heavy cargo pants, boots, thick socks, an undershirt and sweater. A light, plastic jacket is laid over the top, with a hood and plenty of pockets.

They are lead to tubes, with a reminder not to leave the pedestal. The tubes are metal this time, thick, the door sliding closed over them and leaving the tributes in the small, dark area. Entombed until they start the smooth rise to the surface.

25 - 24 - 23

Rising to the surfaces, they can see before them a building, ravished by time but still standing. Behind it, cliffs fall to the ocean, glittering in the sun for miles and miles, a dark blue distance that offers no escape. Behind them, the last trails of fog lead into a forest, still spotted with the lingering remains of the buildings that had once stood there. The air is cool, crisp, and the warmth of the sweater can be appreciated quickly.

20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16

One wall of the building before them is gone, exposing deep into the building's heart. There, about 50 yards into the ruins, lies the cornucopia. It's weapons and supplies are scattered among the ruins, dropped haphazardly among crumbling walls and exposed rebar.

11- 10 - 9 - 8

Warned not to move from their pedestals, they are given the last 10 seconds to plans their attack.

5

4

3

2

The gong sounds, clear in the crisp air. Let the games begin.

[OOC: Check here if your character ran for the cornucopia to see your results. Post here to play those out.

Characters on reserve have until Wednesday, Nov 14th to be eligible to tag into this arena and this post, but anyone who did not sign up for the Cornucopia will be handwaved as having not not been part of the Cornucopia battle.]

Comments

[needsaprince]

She doesn't think, she doesn't wait. She just runs. As fast as she can, towards the woods. She can sort out this place, and the best way to survive here later.

For now she was just getting herself out of the way, before someone did it for her.

Finally she found a depression, surrounded by crumbling concreted, and tucked herself down into it to catch her breath.

[gruesome]

Their mentors had told Some to stay well away from Lottie, to give either of them a better shot at victory. But he had no plans to win himself, and so the moment he could, once he had reached cover and gotten well away from the Cornucopia thrashing, he'd circled around as widely as he could. He knew her scent well enough to pick it out, and so he followed, creeping along from tree to tree.

"Lottie?" he whispered, coming close.

[polyturtle]

Someone else was coming towards them, fast and furious. It was less that the shadow was chasing them than the fact it was obviously trying to get to shelter away from the Cornucopia.

Once Donatello spotted Lottie, however, there was just no way he wasn't going to stop and help her. Quickly he landed near the depression, Cornucopia spoils in hand.

[needsaprince]

Well, wasn't this just a stroke of luck. Both her monster in shining armor.

"Hello boys! It's me, come rest a bit, that run is always a ki-"

She stopped.

Maybe that was a little tasteless an analogy.

[gruesome]

Some came down out of the tree slowly, head first. He was winded, and a little shaky when he reached the ground, so he stayed on six feet, rather than four.

"You're not hurt?"

[polyturtle]

"Don't have to tell me twice."

It was a decent hiding place, and Donatello managed to slide down into the crevice as well. And, well, the analogy is forgiven.

"I did manage to snag something from the Cornucopia. Just not sure exactly what yet." So Donatello began to unzip the bag, though no before looking up. "By the way, hey there."

Yes, he's talking to you, Grue.

[needsaprince]

"Some day I'm gonna get me somethin' good from that pesky Cornucopia."

Lottie leaned forward. Perhaps it'd be something good. Even better, maybe something good Donatello wouldn't need. Reaching out, she tugged Some closer as she huddled near Donatello.

[gruesome]

"Hello." Some sank to the floor of the crevice beside her, all four legs folded under himself. "I'm afraid to risk it. Was it bad?" He'd seen the bloodbath it had been in his first Arena.

[polyturtle]

"Actually...it was unusually...not." Donatello frowned. "I mean, I did see someone die as I was retreating, but...the way everything was scattered about, so I think it made it less difficult to get something this time."

Which didn't make that bad feeling of wrongness go away. But it was probably better not to alarm either Lottie or...whatever Lottie's new friend was. Furry spider guy?

In any case. He opens the bag and begins to shift through it. The folding knife he put in his pocket, though not before checking it out to make sure it worked. There was also a long, long rope, which surprised him a little. And then there was the food.

Salted jerky. Dehydrated pears. Don's eyes narrowed as he turned the two food items over, examining them. This was still not helping how he was feeling. What the shell? Why didn't we get canned food like the other two Arenas?

[needsaprince]

"I dunno if that's better or worse." She leaned back, scooting herself up to peek over the wall. No one in their neck of the woods just yet, at least.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, where are my manners. Some, this is Don. Don, this is Some. he is my district mate." She patted Some's hand with a wide smile.

[gruesome]

Some offered Don a hand, since this was introductions. "I'm a grue," he supplied. Six of his eyes were focused on the turtle, but two were watching that rope. Oh, how he could use that. "And I did not play this game last time, and I don't plan to this time, either."

[polyturtle]

"Oh!" Don smiled as he shook the hand. "I...don't know what a grue is. Sorry."

He does notice some of those eyes not focusing on him. He doesn't say anything, for now.

[needsaprince]

"Well, Some is a grue. he's the only one I've meet so far too."

She smiled, although strained. Not due to them, of course. Due to everything else.

"Do we have a plan, boys?"

[gruesome]

What a grue was wasn't important right now, so Some was more than willing to move on from that.

"This forest is rocky," he said, digging a little in the loam with a forefoot. "We might be able to find caves... I would be able to find us somewhere safe, there."

[polyturtle]

"Sort of." Don looked up and around. "I need to find Momoko or Eliot, if I can. The more the merrier, they say."

[needsaprince]

Lottie would be more than happy to see them. She glanced over at Some, hoping he didn't mind being pulled into their little circle.

"Should we split up?"

[gruesome]

Some's expression flickered with fear at that second name.

"... Maybe. The same Eliot who was in the last game?"

[polyturtle]

"Yeah, that's him," Don nodded. "He's an ally of mine. We're trying to help people win."

At this, he turned to Some and blinked.

"...Is...is everything ok?"

[needsaprince]

She watched the two of them, hoping this wasn't going to go badly. There was so much potential for things to go wrong, and she really didn't want it between these two.

[gruesome]

Some's teeth showed against the black fur as he worried at his lip, looking around in brief glances.

"He was the one- the last game. Killed me on the beach."

[polyturtle]

"He killed you?..."

Don bit his lip. Well. This was awkward. After a moment, he shook his head.

"I can tell him you're a friend of Lottie's, when we see him. He wouldn't do that to you again. I can vouch for him on that. He's a good guy."

[needsaprince]

Oh, this was awkward.

Lottie laid a hand on Some's arm, looking up at him. "He's treated me well to, but if you want to stay away from him...I can understand that too."

Some death she could forgive here. Others she couldn't.

[gruesome]

Some nodded slightly, though his hackles had gone up. "He must not have known I was a person," he said, tone deliberately mild. "I would be willing to try again."