(no subject)

[etcircenses]

The fog seems especially heavy in the hours before dusk, and night begins it's creep easily enough with the light already so obscured.

But night had not fallen quite yet when the air raid sirens begin their howling, echoing through the fog and filling the streets with their moans.

The sirens last for what seems a long time, but in reality barely fills 5 minutes. Still, 5 minutes is a long time with that noise permeating the air. As the howl, the fog thickens even more, visibility cutting down to mere inches.

Then, suddenly they stop. A moment of silence, which ends with a growing grumble through the whole town, seeming to come from under ground. The fog sucks back, being pulled away towards the crevasses at the end of town. As it goes, the town starts to change.

To rot.

Paint curls up from walls, dry board crumbles away, ceilings sag and in place, collapse. Some buildings retain their structure, but some show their inner skeletons, nearly reduced to beams and columns. The cracks exude heat, shifting and widening, sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly.

It isn't just the cracks in the ground that heat up. The whole town seems to have a fire under it, hot, wet heat shimmering over the ground. The various monsters idling around are no longer idling, now aggressive and out for blood.

The town is a sight, and not one for sore eyes.

Except, along main street, one building is a beacon of normal. It looks the same, worn down, but whole. An old theater, The Mayan, with peeling and worn looking cravings of creatures and motifs clearly mimicking it's name sake. Inside is an old fashion, two floor theater, complete with a concession stand down stairs.

And anyone who takes shelter here will find the concession stand fully stocked. The soda machine works, the popcorn maker keeps refilling, and every time the hot dog maker is opened it's full of hot dogs and buns. The candy boxes, too, are full and restock themselves.

It would be perfect if it wasn't full of people who want you dead.

OOC|

A map of the theater can be found here.

Throw any questions here.

You can rp in this post like a party post, or use this information to make your own threads.

Hellrena will be in effect until a second post returning things to normal, I am planning a few days currently.

Comments

Closed to Thor

[smarterthanthem]

It had only taken a second, a split second for everything to go wrong. To get her separated from the group and relative safety she'd enjoyed for the past week.

The world had flipped on it's head and Clementine had watched in horror as it did so. Cold gave way to unbearable heat and everything -- everything just rotted, like time sped up. No one could have expected that, nor the trouble that it would bring with it.

The monsters were far more ferocious now.

Dogs, why'd it have to be dogs?! Clementine thinks as hurtles down the road, dodging the cracks, sweat pouring from her every pore. She's lost her windbreaker and hangs doggedly to the hoodie in one hand, the bag she'd found bouncing against her hip. It couldn't be dropped, without what was in it she was as good as dead anyway.

Her right hand clutches a crowbar, hoping she won't have to use it as the monster hounds bay for blood behind her, hungered by the smell and sight of small and weak prey. They're getting closer by the second. They'll catch her soon unless she can find somewhere they can't follow.

[worldsaway]

In similar seconds, Thor had lamented the heat but quickly discovered the return of his powers. Mildly, anyway. He cannot feel Mjolnir within his reach, but he can channel his power through the wrench he's acquired. Somehow. He cannot begin to understand the way their power seals work, but he would be a lesser man if he didn't use what he had to look out for other people. Thus far, he's been trying to prevent the death part of the Arena as much as possible. He's yet to kill anyone, he's even intervened in fights to prevent death from happening. He's sort of running from the inevitable, but he won't hear that from anyone.

With his other travel companions safely situated in Elsa's ice home, he's taken to briefly prowling the surrounding areas in order to take people into shelter if need be. What he hears first is the sound of feet hitting the pavement hard, the telltale sound of running, it's not long after that he hears the sounds of beasts on the hunt.

Wasting no time, he launches after the source of the sound, Clementine coming into view quickly as he makes his approach. Without hesitation, he's putting himself between her and the dogs. "Scurry." He grunts over his shoulder, giving one approaching dog a swift kick in the chest so that it knocks over a lurker whilst bringing his wrench down on the head of one getting too close to Clem for his liking.

[smarterthanthem]

A crack is before her and she darts left to avoid the broiling heat, under no falsities about what will happen to her should she fall into one of those.

Then she see's if not salvation then hope, "Thor!" Clementine cries, a fresh wave of adrenaline carries her forward, in that moment she doesn't think she's ever been so glad to see anyone in her entire life. Still, she's tired and stumbles after she's passed him, turning to see him intervene with the pack.

No longer alone Clem's hand tightens on the crowbar, her small chest heaving as she looks around. When one dog tries to skirt past Thor she swings for it, clocking a healthy blow in on its muzzle.

[worldsaway]

Thor had hoped beyond hope that he'd find Clementine some time soon. He had made a promise to her, one he had no intention of breaking, but it was more difficult to find people once you're in the Arena than he'd ever realised. He is glad to have good timing, but irritated to know that he might have been too late for her.

A brow raises in surprise at the blow, and he gives her a brief look of surprise before turning back to make quick work of the remaining pack with his wrench and his fists. They were no match for him at his full strength, even if they were bothersome creatures.

He heaves a breath of relief once they're no longer at risk, turning to place a heavy hand on Clem's shoulder. "Are you hurt?" He asks, but he's already checking her over with his eyes for signs of bleeding.

[smarterthanthem]

The girl is breathing heavily, sweat running down her face and back, staining the loose tank top she has on. Clementine leans into Thor's hand, managing a nod as she fights to regain her breath and stop the wheezing that came from exhaustion. It takes a few minutes.

"Just a couple scrapes, nothing serious." she wipes her brow, her hair frizzing in the sweltering heat. "They just... came out of nowhere." She needs water, there's some in her bag but she won't go for it yet, not until she's sure the coast is clear. "You really took care of them."

[worldsaway]

“Good.” He murmurs, letting his hand fall once he’s confident she’s steady and breathing well enough to support herself.

“Something has changed. My powers have almost entirely returned.” He raises his wrench upward and steady for a long moment before a very faint drizzle starts to fall upon them. He doesn’t seem particularly worried about anything returning for them, for the moment.

“They will be looking for those without powers, those they can prey on with ease.” He nods to himself before he realizes that might be a little insulting. “Relative ease.”

[smarterthanthem]

She reaches up and pushes her hair back, "What?" Clementine takes a moment to think that yes, some people here aren't all human, or human with extra abilities. "You seem pretty strong."

Clem snorts softly, daring a smile as she pulls a half full bottle of water from her bag and gulps it down. "Do they think those with powers are more likely to kill now?"

[worldsaway]

"As do you." He returns the compliment, softening his look a little so he can smile at her. "Better to be strong of mind and heart than merely strong of arm." That's a lesson he's learned time and time again, and it doesn't take a genius to see that Clementine is strong willed in ways he may not truly know.

"I am certain there are some who would try. Not everyone can deny the will of the Capitol when presented with a challenge. Some fight in the hopes they will be freed for their compliance."

[smarterthanthem]

She shuffles her feet at the returned compliment. Clementine's been told this before, she's not sure she's ever truly believed it, often she's felt that she's not strong enough in any fashion. Denying Thor though isn't something she wants to do.

"This is crazy." it's not only people trying to kill each other now but also possibly people with powers. The bottle of water is offered out to him in case he wants some. Thor did just save her life after all, the least she can do is offer him a drink. "So is this heat, this must be what deserts feel like."

[worldsaway]

Thor hasn't known her long, but he's already been more than impressed with her. He believes children are often underestimated, but Clementine in particular has expressed maturity and understanding that he himself had only come to know recently.

"I cannot find a method to this insanity. I cannot imagine many do, either." He shakes his head as he glances around, knowing he'll need to take her to shelter and having a vague idea of where best to head. He waves her off when she offers the drink, with his powers restored his need to replenish himself is much less dire than it is for her. She needs it more. "It feels like the very depths of Hel." He agrees, crouching beside her and nodding his head toward his back. "Come, I will carry you to a cooler place."

[smarterthanthem]

At his refusal she nods and tightens the cap back on the bottle, returning it to her bag and taking up the crowbar again, wiping the bloodied end of it against the ground.

The method, she'd guess, is whatever will kill them faster. Clem looks faintly startled at the offer of the piggyback ride, "I could walk, it's okay, you don't have to carry me." even if she's so very tired right now she doesn't want to put him out. "Where is that?" was there some part of the arena that wasn't trying to roast them alive?

[worldsaway]

"You need not refuse for my sake." He isn't budging from his position, he just gives her a patient smile. "I do not feel the heat, nor do I feel exhaustion easily. You would be doing me a favour allowing me to assist you." His smile widens a little, hoping she'll understand when he puts it like that.

"It is a dwelling made entirely of ice, built by another with their powers returned. She is kind, she will allow us to rest there."

[smarterthanthem]

"Well, uh, if you insist." It seems a strange kind of favour at first before she realises he probably means it in a way that she would help put his mind at ease over her own wellbeing. Clementine might have tried to be indignant about it if she weren't so exhausted.

Feeling a little silly (and young), she walks up to Thor, puts her hands on his burly shoulders and hangs on when he lifts her up. "... really? Someone here can do that?"

Clem's definitely intrigued by that statement.

[worldsaway]

For the sake of her pride, he won't make any mention of success or happiness when she caves and climbs onto his back. He passes it off as a casual and normal action and stands quickly. It's obvious her weight on his back is of no significance to him in the way he carries himself.

"Now that you have the advantage of height, you may keep watch." There, can't say he doesn't trust you. He glances around cautiously before he begins to stride back from where he came. This would be much easier if he could fly.

"I came across it myself sometime ago. Her name is Lady Elsa, she can bring forth ice from her fingertips and craft it into objects." She even made him a big chair for his big Asgardian butt.

[smarterthanthem]

"Whoa!" she gapes when he stands, because Thor is really really tall. "It's high up here. Got it." Clementine nods, glad to have a duty rather than just being passively carried.

She blinks, "That sounds pretty incredible. Like out of a story."

[worldsaway]

"Perhaps one day you will be so tall." He muses, and at his will it begins to drizzle faintly over them, just barely conjuring some cloud coverage as a break from the aggressive heat.

"There are some who believe I come from legend, perhaps Elsa is one of her own." He's genuinely curious about that. "What tales do you know of people with powers?"

[smarterthanthem]

She snorts, amused at the idea. "Probably not, I don't mind being small though, it makes it easier to hide." Being as Thor could probably be really inconvenient sometimes, or it certainly would be were she in her own world. "It's raining." Clementine observes, unknowing that Thor was the cause.

Now she's interested, "You?" and she thinks for a moment. "Well some fairytales do, they have things like witches and wizards in them. A lot of movies I used to watch as a kid had people with magical powers in them. I always wanted some myself."

[worldsaway]

"Is it?" He glances upward, willing the rain to stop as he does and looking surprised and skeptical. He looks forward again and the rain starts again, he just smiles to himself.

"There is a girl here, a viking, she knows of me. Thor and his friends are of legend to her." And he'd been happy to assure her that it was a reality. "You have strength of heart and character." He observes. "That is a power many cannot claim to possess." He smiles ahead of himself. "And you are small too, of course."

[smarterthanthem]

"It stopped -- no it started again." Clementine stares distrustfully at the sky now. "That's really strange."

She looks back down at him then, smiling a little, "That's pretty cheesy, you know... but thanks." he deserves a compliment back for his kind words to her. "What are the stories about you like?"

[worldsaway]

"I've never been one to shy away from the truth." Trickery is more his brother's style, but that doesn't mean he won't joke around once in a while if it means he can make a kid laugh and keep her hydrated.

"Some consider me a God with the power to control thunder, lightning and the weather." He smiles to himself. "In actuality I am what you know as an Alien, from another planet."

[smarterthanthem]

"You don't look like an alien though!" she says in surprise at Thor's claim, "You look just like anybody else. What planet are you from?"

As far as Clem understands aliens should look stranger. Or at least be a different colour to a human. She's not saying little green men from Mars but something more different definitely.

[worldsaway]

"What does an alien look like?" He tries to glance over his shoulder at her so he can give her a funny look, but it's difficult from this angle. "I am of Asgard, that is where my family and people reside. It is not my appearance that differs me from mortals, it runs deeper than that."

[smarterthanthem]

"Um, I... don't know." Clementine admits. "On tv they always looked really different, they'd have really big eyes or be grey or green or another colour. And they flew flying saucers."

She's thoughtful about that, "So what is the difference?"

[worldsaway]

"There are some who suit that description better than others, but they are not of Asgard." Sounds like Jotun, honestly, but he won't confuse her more by bringing those up.

"I see no reason to use saucers to fly." Now she's confusing him. "We are a race of warriors with natural strength and power and our life is well over a hundred times the length of a mortal." He shrugs under her. "Many of us have powers you would consider to be magic."

[smarterthanthem]

"That's what the spaceships look like. They're flat and round and they spin when they fly." she explains to him. Clementine asks, "So how old are you, Thor?"