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

[libertin]

He thrashed in the waves, trying to keep himself above water and he grabbed Eponine tightly, using her as a little life raft. It was unfair to do so, and he didn't expect they would be able to survive like that for long, but what other choice did he have?

"I am sorry. I don't think we will make it this time, my dear."

[gardienne]

"And now I am your dear." Eponine chokes out with a sad smile. The life jacket she wears prevents her from going under completely, but Courfeyrac's weight pulls her down as well, though she does nothing to try to save herself by shaking free of his grip.

"Just because we die... oh, but Monsieur, I am so afraid to drown. Will you..." She sighs, her tears mingling with the water droplets dripping from her hair to her cheeks. "Oh, I know how you must hate me, Sir. But please do not leave me alone. Please. Stay with me until we die."

[libertin]

"Of course I shall stay," he said, kicking his feet below the surface to try to stay afloat. The water sloshed up over his lips, coming dangerously close to his nose. "Please do not cry, Eponine. I am sorry to have let you down once more. It was never my intention for anyone to be hurt, let alone you."

Courfeyrac wanted to comfort her, to provide some sort of solace, but he didn't quite have it in him to do so. Instead, he reached to touch her cheek, shaking his head sadly. "Let's not be too scared. Whatever happens, we must be brave now, yes? You are a brave girl. I know you've some fight in you."

[gardienne]

"You've not let me down, Sir." Eponine gurgled. Her head was tipped right back in an effort to stop the water. "You know, I'm sorry? Sorry for everything. All of it." She nodded valiantly though, and coughed as she swallowed water.

"I thought to do this in Paris a few winters ago, when we lived under the bridge." She laughed. "I didn't think it wou-" She coughed as water splashed over her face. "We should just close our eyes, Sir, and hold hands unit-" But the water overwhelmed her that time, and she slipped her arms from the lifejacket holding her afloat, so that she would die the quicker.