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.
hit_girl_mindy: (sultry for some reason)

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, she's bitchy as fuck too, just like home," Mindy said, looking over the girl's skating costume. "It's not the same without the hat. I mean, you're adorable as shit, but that hat is just YOU, you know?"

She grimaced. "Yeah, well. I'd live, you know that. I mean, it hurt, and sleep's gotten worse, but I'm here and that's what counts. Thanks for worrying and NOT trying to get me though."
smarterthanthem: (His name was Lee)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-19 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Stephen says it's my signature." Clem says, a little amused. "If I wasn't worried I wouldn't get it back if I lost it in one of these I'd wear it here." she's a little embarrassed by being called adorable, just a little.

Clementine has the honesty to look a little shame faced there. "Yeah... well, I did my part. I didn't mean to get in trouble for it." she shows Mindy her bling'd up cuff. Her words are chosen carefully, she is after all playing an angle with the Capitol about it that she can't risk being ruined.

Though with all the chatting around her they might not be overheard perfectly.
hit_girl_mindy: (Stare (Mindy))

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, if you looked adorable, rock the look. It got you sponsors, and Mindy was more than happy to see that happening for Clem.

"Look, better that you get a cuff than what I got. I'm proud you did anything at all, just be careful. No point in us both getting the shit kicked out of us."

She looked over at the rink. "You sticking with Joel again?"
smarterthanthem: (Crawl)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-19 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I don't mean to get in trouble again." At least she didn't meant to get caught again. Clementine's more than determined to still try and help take down the Capitol if possible, or at the least escape it.

Clementine shrugs, "I'm not sure... we haven't talked about it." But she thinks Joel will expect her to.
hit_girl_mindy: (Black and white (Mindy))

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good. The last thing that needs to happen is you being run off the rails for this kind of shit. We'll talk about that stuff more when we get the chance."

In other words, out of earshot.

"All right. I'm gonna try and find that pink haired girl, Usa something or other. If you want to join us, you can. I'm no Joel, but I've beaten this shit before, so you know I'm not going to stab you in the back or anything."
smarterthanthem: (Hug)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-19 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good point." Clementine nods and... well, she closes the distance between them and hugs Mindy.

"I need to see him, and Ellie, make sure they're okay. I'll meet up with you soon as I can."
hit_girl_mindy: (Stop breathing my air (Mindy))

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Mindy wasn't going to pretend she was too tough for the hug. After everything, and the lack of human contact she'd had the last week, this felt welcome. She could even feel a little bit of apprehension melting away.

"Nah, you do that. But Joel's tough, no way he'll be taken out early. He's got Riley with him anyway, right?"
smarterthanthem: (Lee)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-19 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Which was good because Clementine's making the hug count, just in case they don't see each other again for a while. This is the arena, it was one thing to make plans, another to see them through successfully.

"Yeah, probably. She wouldn't let him get into trouble." she smiles at the thought. "Everyone seems to be listening to Steve for now but... be careful, okay?"
hit_girl_mindy: (Know what I have to do)

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Steve is a good guy, but not everyone was listening, and after that display, well, the Capitol doesn't seem content in letting us take the high ground. Don't die, you, ok? I was banking on you surviving the last time, and if you join me later, I'll make sure it doesn't happen or die trying."

Because what the hell did she care if she died? She WON one of these already!
smarterthanthem: (Outwards)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-19 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't mean to." Clementine promises her. "We'll have each others backs." she says as she lets go of the other girl. They protect each other, no one above the other.
hit_girl_mindy: (True Uncertainty (Mindy))

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-19 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, we do," Mindy said, flashing the girl a grin. The hug gave her a little energy. Holy shit, Mindy was human!

"You'll be ok with Chibi Usa with us?"
smarterthanthem: (Reason)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-20 09:04 am (UTC)(link)
Clem nods as she steps back. "Yeah, I met her before. She's nice and she needs someone to help her." that little girl had never been in a situation like this one she thinks.
hit_girl_mindy: (Glossy)

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-20 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's what I thought when I saw her. Call me soft hearted, but my goal is going to be getting her as close to winning as I can, if I have to beat down death at every turn. Same goes for you if I can manage it. Dunno how long I'll stay in this motherfucker, but I'm not aiming for a short stay."
smarterthanthem: (Photo)

[personal profile] smarterthanthem 2014-08-20 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"We'll be fine, Mindy." she reassures her, "We'll stick together and get through this." whatever happens. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Clementine takes a step away to go and find Joel and Ellie.
hit_girl_mindy: (Civil clothing (Mindy))

[personal profile] hit_girl_mindy 2014-08-20 12:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hey, I saw the last arena. It doesn't exactly inspire high hopes in me. I'll keep an eye out. See ya."

She waved the girl goodbye.