etcircenses: (Default)
Panem Events ([personal profile] etcircenses) wrote in [community profile] thearena2014-08-18 09:38 pm

ARENA 11-PaneMall

It’s pre-dawn when the Tributes are roused from their beds and sent to their tubes. Those who’d been imprisoned for the past few weeks had their heads covered before transport to the staging area, and there’s an air of confusion surrounding just about everything that’s happening until the stylists and managers arrive on the scene and try to calm everyone down. The reunions may be happy, but they're sadly very temporary.

The first clue that something strange is happening comes from their clothing: figure skating costumes with bright colors and sequins and ice skates strapped to their feet. Some may even find it difficult to stand with the blades on their feet, but as they're placed into the arena, all becomes clear. The mall skating rink seems quiet and quaint, especially after weeks of uncertainty and stress. Too bad the peace and quiet can’t last.

20

19

18...


Above the ice rink (which houses all 100+ Tributes) there are floors with shops looking over them. Large, bright fluorescent lights dot the multi-storied ceiling and create a warm, nostalgic glow to the place. Benign music is piped in from various hidden speakers to compliment the intended mood of fun and commerce.

17

16

15…


The countdown continues and the Tributes, some of whom haven’t seen each other in weeks, stare at one another helplessly. That is, until one of them boldly decides to speak.

"We're expected to fight here today," Steve's voice suddenly cuts through the tension in the room. It commands attention without demanding it, a conviction of truth in his tone.

14

13

12...



"To turn on each other through fear and self preservation. And we could give them what they want. A bloodbath," here he pauses longer, lets the reality of his statements sink in. Let people realize what he's saying, that this is a choice.

"Or we can choose not to fight. To instead work together," an option so many seem not to even realize they have. "No one here has to die by our hands today," he knows his speaking won't be without consequence, but he does want to believe he'll be the only one to pay for this.

"This is a risk. One many of you are hesitant to trust, let alone take. But everything we do here is a risk to ourselves and those around us," nothing in the arena comes without putting your life on the line.

"I, for one, am willing to take this risk, to choose not to fight," Steve looks around the room, making eye contact with a few people as he does. He's not telling anyone what to do, this is for them to decides for themselves; their freedom of choice.

But he's got faith in the his fellow tributes. "And I've got a feeling I'm not alone.”

… 3

2

1…


After the countdown ends, there’s a moment of utter still and silence. Then...

BOOOOOOOOOOOM


The room seems to erupt with noise and concussive force. The explosions are so violent that the muzak is paused in its tracks and shakes some of the Tributes off of their pedestals, and after the ice fog and smoke clears, it becomes apparent that fifteen of the Tribute pedestals and exploded there on the ice rink. Fifteen corpses lie mangled on the bloody ice: Deanna Winchester, Danny Fenton, Fili, Kili, Kain Highwind, Perry Kelvin, Julian Bashir, Clint Barton, Karkat Vantas, Sirius Black, Rahm Kota, Cinderella, Bunnymund, Robin, Rock Lee, and Rokk Krin.

The center of the ice rink remains completely intact and stocked with a few dozen keys of varying shapes and sizes. This is the Cornucopia and the Gamemakers are compelling the Tributes to skate for it.

The gong rings out, and the countdown's voice announces “The Arena is now open.” The Games have begun.
aintyourdad: (Default)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2014-08-19 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
"Nope, but I wasn't lookin' for them, either," Joel says flatly. "They're hard to miss, I'm sure they'll come along."

Or they got exploded into mincemeat, that's a possibility, too. He frowns at her hand, then glances up, scanning for Ellie and Tess. "These fuckers. Ellie can't skate."

Because that's the biggest risk right now.
earthborn: (the general is to blame)

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-08-19 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Me either," Add it to the list; can't dance, can't drive, can't skate. She turned to squint out over the ice, "Ask Rogers, if he's still out there. He's got a good team, some of them are still mobile."
aintyourdad: (Default)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2014-08-19 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
"That dumbass? The one that just got a dozen people killed?" Joel shakes his head ruefully. "You and your damn causes. Opening your big mouths, staging rescues. You'll get us all killed if you keep this up."
earthborn: (to conduct espionage)

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-08-19 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
"You can abandon me to my fate anytime you want, jackass," if her face didn't hurt so bad, she'd smile for him, "S'not like I didn't earn it."

He could either go and look, or stay and look after her. She knew what the priority should be; and it wasn't her.

"Go look for 'em. One of mine will find me sooner or later. It'll be fine."
Edited 2014-08-19 07:29 (UTC)
aintyourdad: (Default)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2014-08-19 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
He knows what the priority is, too. He likes Shepard, she's alright. Mostly. But she's not Tess, she's not Ellie. She has her people, and he has his. And he needs to find his.

He sighs heavily. "I've got a bone to pick with you, so don't go anywhere just yet," he points out sternly, standing up, keeping one of the skates in his hand as a potential weapon. "I mean it."
earthborn: (has confidence in her men)

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-08-19 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wish I could promise, but you know I can't, Joel," She'd fold her arms except that that's impossible right now, so instead she shakes her head and sighs, "Go on, get out there. It'll be what it is."
aintyourdad: (Default)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2014-08-20 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Joel scowls, but he's walking away from her. "I'll find you again, dammit," he growls, one last parting shot.