thearena | I know you don't get a chance to take a break this often

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I know you don't get a chance to take a break this often

Who| Kankri and YOU! (With possible Venus cameos, if you'd like.)
What| General meanderings and interactions.
Where| All over the place, but probably the fourth floor in particular.
When| During early-mid week 3
Warnings/Notes| None so far!

A. Fourth floor patrols
With Venus's leg only getting worse, Kankri is taking more and more of the duties involved in looking after them and their hiding place upon himself. Patrolling always makes him nervous, because he knows he wouldn't attack an invader; but still, it has to be done, to ensure that they're as safe as can be and have some warning in case anyone's going to come after them.

He clutches his crowbar tight and does his best to look like he could use it to hurt someone, although he's doing his best to keep out of sight as much as possible.

B. Gathering supplies
Mostly, Kankri and Venus are doing rather well on the things they need for now. Of course, that won't last as the arena goes further, but for now they're all right. Still, he still goes on supply runs to supplement what they have; better to do so now than to find anything of use gone later. Besides, Venus is intrigued by the masks, so he's got to obtain some of them, right?

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The Disciple had spent most of the first few weeks holed up in her little hideaway in the skeletons, hearing others on this floor but ignoring their presence so long as no one found her here. Yet she began to sneak out more as time went on, more from a lack of ways to spend her time than real curiosity or need for supplies. There was nothing to hunt, no small chores that passed the time. Surviving on strange foliage and stale baked goods was all she could hope for at this point and she still had some of both tucked away in her space between some fake rocks and a mammoth leg.

She pauses at the sounds of footsteps nearby, hands reaching for weapons she doesn't have and then splaying to show off long claws.

"Who is it?" She whispers. She doesn't want to attack first and have it be someone she knows.

Kankri goes very still when he hears that whispered challenge. Slowly, hesitantly, he peeks around the huge stuffed carcass nearest him - and his shoulders slump in relief when he sees who it is.

"Meulin, it's me. Kankri," he says softly. "I mean - not that Kankri - oh dear, this is never going to stop being complicated and awkward. Yes. Hello."

At his reveal, she lets her muscles relax and steps forward, a little more into what light there is. While she feels it's obvious she would never hurt him, she holds her hands out just to make sure he can see she means no harm.

"I know--It's alright. It's going to be complicated for a while I'm sure." She doesn't want to suggest calling him or Signless different names, it's both their names after all. She looks him over quietly and tries not to let her surprise at his overall good health show. Is Signless looking this good even without her? She wonders.

"I'm glad you're alright, I haven't run into many trolls here since the Cornucopia. Not that I've been looking that hard."

The search for masks is one they share. At this rate, he might've thought he'd run out by now, but no. The masks of the arena seemed almost limitless. He wears one now, though it's long since run it's course for power offered. He hasn't just yet felt the need to tear it off.

He sees some up ahead, as well as someone else looking for them, and for a minute is mind blanks and he comes with nothing but the desire to take these masks before this motherfucker does. To take his hatch right. To show that anyone to take it would face the inevitable eventually, which would be him taking them apart. Let their sins not be unpunished.

It has him rushing before he can think and the sight of nub horns as he gets close does nothing to appease his anger. He almost doesn't stop. He almost lets the mask carry him on. He skirts to a stop. Too close. Too close.

His eyes are and his breath fast. He forces himself steady and shakes with the effort of it, until proper thought seeps in. He promised. He gave his word. He forces his club down and breathes deep. Out into where he can be seen he steps. He thinks maybe he imagined it all, vision making him see something else. But no. It's a Vantas. It is most definitely a Vantas. He can hardly believe his eyes when he realises which it is.

The greeting Kankri gets from him, the first sign he gives that he's there is, "How the fuck do you Vantas's keep managing at to live so far?"

"I haven't, either," Kankri says, letting the crowbar fall to his side and walking closer to her. "I saw Signless in the first few days, and then recently I came across Karkat and Terezi. Karkat's wounded, but Terezi seems fine. They seem to be looking out for each other."

He has a seat on one of the museum benches with a soft sigh, then glances up at her, almost nervous. "So you're not still...angry with me?" That's his main impression of her so far, what with only meeting her the once.

Kankri jumps nervously, knocking the mask he was reaching for off the wall. He bends to pick it up before he turns to answer his district-mate.

"I told you I wanted to survive," he retorts with a frown. "So that's what I've been doing. Really, it isn't so hard to listen to the death announcements."

He fiddles with the mask in his hands. "And you? How have you been managing?"

Cuthbert is hunting for other tributes more than for supplies. They have more things he wants, and he can eliminate threats before they come to him. He is more than a little surprised to see short horns come around the corner, because this isn't someone he wants to bludgeon.

"Vantas?"

He hisses, since that was easier than trying to guess which one it is when he can't see for sure.

Kankri startles on hearing that voice. It's familiar, what with Cuthbert being one of the first people he met here.

"Er, yes," he says after a moment. "No propositions this time, if you please. Though I'd also like not to meet a messy end, I've been doing rather well on that front so far."

He remembers Cuthbert calling himself a "gentleman killer," and he's not sure he's safe with someone who would brag about that. Still, he'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

"BEEN BUSY WITH OTHER BUSINESS. If a death were to be missed it would hardly motherfucking matter would it? GOT FAR MORE THINGS IMPORTANT WHAT TO PUT THOUGHT ON." Which was... half true. He'd likely notice the death if it was someone like Mituna, Shepard, Terezi, Sigma, or Pruna- for all he didn't notice when that list of people got that much bigger. But he has been focusing on getting things done with voodoo. Gathering allies. Setting things in motion.

"Managing it all just as motherfucking well. I GOT MY VOODOO, MY CLUBS, MY CLOSEST, AND SOMETHING NEAR LIKE TO PROPER UNIFORM. What all more could a motherfucker up and ask?" He says. Like being in a cull game isn't even a problem. His eyes dart to the mask in Kankri's hands, then over to the display. Might as well gain the other while he can't. He doubts this troll could kill him if he tried, but he could always be acting bait in an ambush. He reaches up and tears at the mask to toss it aside. The sides of his face are already nothing but a mess of dried and running indigo, all chewed up and scabbed. He doesn't seem to care and reaches for the other mask to tuck under his arm for now.

"SUPPOSE HE SHOULDN'T ALL BE SURPRISED IF ONLY DUE TO PAST EXPERIENCE, BUT STILL IT LEAVES TO WONDER," He says. "Congratulatories up on not croaking first day." It doesn't sound like a very sincere congratulations. "YOU BEEN DOING THAT ON YOUR OWN THEN?"

The Disciple nods, having seen Terezi herself. Signless would be glad Karkat is doing okay though. She's at least glad to have something to tell him if they run into each other and she files away the statuses of her two small Vantases just in case.

"Terezi's good at that." She starts, but stops when what he says really hits her, "I wasn't--Was I angry at you?" She blinks, trying to recall what she said. Frustrated surely.

Kankri gapes openly as he sees how Fraysong's injured himself. "You...do know you can remove the masks before, well, that happens, yes? At least, that's what Terezi told me. You're going to give yourself an infection like that, not to mention the pain." He pulls a face.

He's not sure he wants to tell him about Venus or particularly her condition; he knows the two of them aren't fond of each other. "I've had some assistance," he replies with a shrug. "It's worked out well so far."

"Well, when we met you yelled at me and stormed off, so I'd assumed as much," he mumbles, staring at the floor. "And everyone seemed disappointed in me for not being one of the other two, so."

He shrugs slightly. "Well, there's been a lot going on. But Venus has been looking after me, so I've been all right."

She sighs and sits down heavily, eyes flicking over their surroundings before she turns back to the conversation. Someone had to keep an eye out just in case after all. When she finally speaks, it's soft, not that it will stop the Capitol from listening.

"I was worried. Scared. We'd just come from the arena,everyone was on edge and well...I think I was brought here to punish Signless," She shrugs hesitantly and her words are more carefully picked now, with pauses before each sentence as she works out what she can safely say.

"I thought maybe you were too. That all the things we did to make sure we were safe, how we were...quiet to keep everyone safe, that all that had failed. I was sure that you being here meant they weren't going to stop punishing him."

Edited 2014-02-05 22:55 (UTC)

Of course he's run into Terezi. Of course it would be she to discover limits and the like. But then, that means she's been using it. He hopes it's been suiting her well. He pushes it from mind then.

"He can. AND HE CAN LOSE TIME ON IT. Waste motherfucking not. NO NOURISHMENT, NO CORPSE. No power. I'VE BEEN HURT WORSE. Infection can kiss my glutes," He remarks. Of all the things an indigo could die of, he doubts it will be that.

He hums. This one at least has gotten further than he expected. He doesn't pry for who it is. But he does say, "KEEP AWARE. Should you make to get further, it'll start nearing time to pick a motherfucker off. YOU'LL WANT AT SOMEONE WHAT ALL WILL CULL EASY AT LEAST, AND NOT AT ALL IF YOU THINK FURTHERING ON GIVES PROMISE."

Cuthbert is a bit taken aback. "You really think I would do you harm? You've given me no reason to, nor would I want to hurt you. There's truly only one troll I have my sight set on."

He holds his hands up in a (hopefully) universal gesture of not meaning harm. He does walk closer to Kankri though, no sense in whispering across the room to him.

"It seems to me that it would make more of a delay removing it once it's stuck than doing so beforehand," Kankri mutters sullenly, but he doesn't push it. He knows by now that Fraysong is kind of stubborn.

It takes him a bit to puzzle through the indigo's advice. He's never been particularly clear. When he finally figures out what he's trying to say, he's pretty much offended at the very thought. "I am not going to plot my own murder! Fraysong, that is morbid."

He huffs, turning the mask over in his hands since he can't cross his arms while holding it.

"No, I just didn't know whether you would or not," Kankri murmurs in reply. He lowers the crowbar and approaches Cuthbert, watching him cautiously but not on high alert now. "It's a bit difficult to know who will or won't be aggressive when I don't really know most of the people here."

He sighs, rummaging in his tote bag for one of his stale pastries. The croissant is a bit squashed, but he holds it out in a sort of peace offering. "Are you hungry? I'm all right on food right now." Even if he's starting to feel the gnawing of hunger in his stomach more often now, he knows he's got a more steady supply of food than perhaps a lot of other Tributes. Everyone he's met so far has been all too glad to take food when it's offered.

He stares for a second more, unimpressed, then snorts and shrugs. "Aight. SUIT YOUR MOTHERFUCKING SELF. But tell it to you true, brother. BIT STRANGE TO NIT PICK UP ON MORBID-" He rolls his eyes- "UP WHERE ALL EVERYBODY'S GOT AT TO BE HERE TO MOTHERFUCKING DIE. Me? I DON'T PLAN NEITHER. But he'd figure you would so at you avoid such deaths as being eaten alive or what all else."

He takes far too much joy in the morbid to help himself. Watching a motherfucker squirm is too funny.

But let it never be said he had no trace of mercy in him. He glances at the mask. "NICE MASK THERE. Wasn't aware you or the other two had any power. YOU GOT INTENT AT FOR THAT? Or is it all like at to be for another?"

"Oh," Kankri says quietly, feeling quite guilty for his reaction now. He hadn't really thought of that, and Signless is so supportive and kind that the thought of him being punished by watching his loved ones die is sickening.

Tentatively he rests his hand on her shoulder with a light touch. "I'm sorry. That things have been like that for you, I mean." He feels awkward and pretty useless at trying to comfort her, but he at least wants to try. She might not be his Meulin, but still, he's sure she doesn't deserve this.

"Maybe for you, but not all of us are devotees of death clown religions," Kankri grumbles, but he's glad of the topic change.

He looks down to the mask. "Oh, this. Well, Terezi and I are both Seer class, and she said she could use her precognition with it on, so she and Karkat said I might as well give it a try. Apparently it has beneficial effects even without powers, too."

He hesitates a moment, then slips the mask on, looking back up at Fraysong. "Well, I feel ridicu-"

And then a vision overtakes him. He's small again (but that's not right, he's taller?) and looking at a mirror of himself, scruffier and more weathered but with that same delight in his eyes for the argument Kankri-not-Kankri is having with him. He can't pick out the particulars of the topic, it's fuzzy, but he's overcome with a wave of comfort and affection and a hesitant, terrified trust. The image blurs, and then it really is him as he is now, but now there's confusion and anger and a voice inside him screaming traitor, and he keeps flashing between the two states until he's hopelessly lost.

In his body, which feels distant and unreal, he sways slightly, bracing himself on the wall without thinking. "Oh, dear," he mumbles. He doesn't know how to handle this.

Edited 2014-02-05 23:23 (UTC)

His building anger at Kankri dissolves as soon as he's offered food. He doesn't need it, he's been making use of the edible plants exhibits and he's set for food at the moment.

"That is... appreciated, and far too kind. But I have enough to eat right now. I can survive for a few days on little more than crumbs, anyroad. Save it, and your strength."

He is extra worried about this one, now. He's like every sentimental urge the other two Vantas's have rolled into one troll.

"Well...if you're sure," Kankri says after a few moments of hesitation, and tucks it away again. He's a little hungry now, but better to leave it for later when he's hungrier than to eat whenever he feels like it. He's started learning to ration food out of necessity (and with some nudging from Venus, at least up until recently).

"So," he says. "You and Karkat are...kismeses, right? Have you seen him yet?" If Cuthbert hasn't, Kankri is sure he'd like to know how he's faring.

The Vantas is a see- right. The game. He feels a prickle of distaste, then shoves it back. He's surprised, maybe even a little annoyed, that Kankri should have powers but he doesn't voice it, just waits. He watches the mask go on.

While Kankri may be getting those flashes of deep hurt, anger, betrayal, loneliness (a long drawn out scream over empty waters) Initiate is still waiting for something to happen. Obviously it must've been something because he falls against the wall.

The Initiate steps forward, frowning. "WHAT IS IT? The fuck did you see?"

It's all too much at once, and Kankri isn't experienced with Seer powers. All too slowly (but only in a few seconds on the Initiate's side) he manages to sort of wade through the deluge of emotion and information he's getting, Seeing how the pieces fit together, like a jigsaw puzzle.

At last he lowers the mask again, blinking up at the Initiate as he catches his breath from the intensity of it. "I'm not him, you know," he says softly after a few moments. "But I think I get it now. It's all right not to want to be alone. I'm sorry that's twisted you like this."

It's all the words he can find, at the moment. He's still processing, still getting himself back.

That is a bit of a sore spot. "Karkat and I are... partners. Or at least, we have been, in arenas past. But I have yet to see him in this arena. I have been traveling with another Gunslinger, one of my kind who is not of my world but who might as well be for all her talents. Karkat has likely found greener pastures, as I've not heard his death toll yet."

There's a heavy undertone of bitterness there, he's been on the lookout for Karkat, but he's fairly sure the troll hasn't been looking for him. Not that Cuthbert is upset to be with another gunslinger, but it's not the same as fighting side by side with someone whose style he knows better.

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