Mini Arena 2

[etcircenses]

Tributes are woken early, and the hovercraft ride is a long one. Not the longest some have experienced, but they are clearly going far.

25 - 24 - 23

They land on the deck of the boat, and are ushered underneath, to the lower levels, quickly. Their stylists go from cabin to cabin, decking them out in over the top finery, before loading them into the pods installed into the corners of the rooms.

20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16

The platforms lift them up, and they are all ringed around a grand buffet table, loaded with a grand feast looking ready to sag down from the weight. Among the food are supplies, plenty of them, all for the taking.

11- 10 - 9 - 8

They've all been warned, don't step off your pedestal early. They have also been warned to put on a good show. That's all this is about, a good show. None of them have been told that there can be multiple winners this time around.

5 - 4

3

2

The sound of the gong plays crystal clear across the opening. The games have begun.

Comments

[aboveangrybees]

[Steve instinctively tries to reach out to steady the woman who just ran into him, but stops himself when he sees the knife. Getting stabbed isn't on the agenda at all and a random man grabbing her arm would probably result in it. So, instead he puts up both his hands, both free of anything, in a show of not meaning any harm.]

You're the one with a knife. [He points it out, even if he knows that means nothing to him and he could take her out in one swift move before she could react. But he's not interested in such things.]

Besides, I'm not interested in hurting anyone, ma'am.

[seestheman]

[Clara isn't sure why her instincts tell her to trust him. He's in the Arena and he isn't Alex or Dave or Dennett, so common sense says she shouldn't and instead stay on her guard. Instead of listening to common sense, she follows her instincts and lowers the knife.]

Can you really blame me? [She looks up at him and gives him a small shrug that says Better safe than sorry, I hope you understand.] Wandering around here unarmed seems like a terrible idea, considering the other Tributes and the sharks.

I don't think I'm quite old enough to be called ma'am yet. How about you just call me Clara instead?

[aboveangrybees]

Not really. I'd rather you were safe than sorry. [Steve means it when he says it, dropping his hands and relaxing. He's greatly relieved to see her lower the weapon, he's not really interested in taking her out if he can help it. Helping people is much more his game. But he knows not everyone has the same goals as him and with the numerous monsters and other nasty things around here, yeah, he rather she was armed and ready.]

Clara? [He pauses as if he's recalling something and then his face lights up when he does.] Are you Alex's wife?

[seestheman]

Thank you. [It's the little things in this place that get to her. That someone's willing to say they understand and would rather someone they should probably kill to better their chances of survival stay safe.]

That'd be me. [She can't help but smile.] I'll take it you've met him already, then?

[aboveangrybees]

[Maybe Steve's problem is that he doesn't ever plan to win. He rather help people who deserve to win and get out of this situation do so. He can take this, dying doesn't bother him, leaving people behind does. It would be torture to be out of the arena and watch.]

I met him last arena, during that first hot spell, he asked if I'd look for you. Seems I found you in the wrong arena. [His tone is wry, he can't help but find some amusement from that.]

[seestheman]

[Clara tries to keep her smile from falling at the mention of the last Arena going to hell. Oh, sure, she found Alex (a little bit worse for the wear, but that could be said about both of them at that point), but between the fear that she'd lost him and then him dying within a week...she doesn't exactly have the fondest memories of that part of the Arena.]

Better late than never, I guess?

[It hits her that she has no clue who he is, other than that he's apparently a good guy who knows Alex.] So what's your name?

[aboveangrybees]

Usually, I'd agree. [But here, late was usually worse than never. At least this time it almost worked in his favor.

His mind quickly goes over the last short minutes of them meeting and he realizes that he has failed to introduce himself, his eyebrows inching up on his forehead.]

Oh, uh, yeah my manners, Steve Rogers. [He offers her a hand to shake if she wants it before he thinks better of it.]

[seestheman]

[She shrugs, a defeated look on her face. She's already resigned herself to the fact that she isn't going to survive this Arena and it isn't worth dwelling on how much the situation at hand sucks.]

It's nice to meet you, Steve. [She takes his hand, a polite smile dawning on her features.] I just wish it was under better circumstances.

[aboveangrybees]

Well, let's make them better by increasing our chances and heading above deck? [Steve had no intention of giving up on anyone's chances, if he can get her above deck, then he could help her survive this. Thane mentioned multiple victors last small arena, it could be true for this one, but Steve wasn't gonna put money on it. Or mention it.

Honestly, even with that knowledge, Steve doesn't plan to win, just find Clem and make sure she wins. Not that it'll stop him from helping people along the way.]