pride is a bitch [OPEN]

[shenunigans]

Who| Dave and Loki and YOU
What| Dave and Loki taking their fake relationship on parade for the cameras. Gotta test it on everyone they bump into, of course.
Where| The book store, around the mall at night
When| Toward the end of week one
Warnings/Notes| Language, talk of torture and murder, fighting. Loki in general.



The book shop: Now that they had the ball rolling as far as contrived and dramatic romances go, it was important to find a way to showcase how at ease they are with each other. Dave finds that he doesn't mind it too much, really. It was nice to have company and better to know that your company was probably going to come in handy as far as regaining Capitol favor goes. He isn't terribly annoyed that he's been cuffed and called out as an insubordinate threat, but he is annoyed that it could be the difference between dying grossly dehydrated and knowing that people close to you are suffering from your unfavorable public image.

As such, he doesn't find he has objections to goofing off with Loki. Discovering the books were practically parodies had been one fun thing, but reading them aloud to Loki of all people whilst being cuddled up on a couch with him was pretty much a life goal. The sounds of comedically exaggerated voices, laughter and scathing observations are apparent. You might even find that they're reading out lines from your own life story, if you chime in at the right moment.

Out and about at night:
By this point, Dave has acquired a skateboard from one of the stores and feels assured in completing his cool kid look. He's just rolling slowly alongside Loki as the two of them talk. Or at least, Dave is talking Loki's ear off about nothing in particular. Occasionally they'll exchange meaningful looks or brushes against one another, smirking all the while.

Obviously they're prepared to kick ass if shit goes down, but their intentions for the most part are to be cute little fuckers and score brownie points.

Comments

[closed to loki]

[shenunigans]

The past few weeks are slowly driving Dave into the ground at this point. His love life is a shambles, he feels betrayed and mostly as if he were a huge moron and there's still the stress from prison piled on that. He'd taken it out on Eridan for the most part, but he'd gone too far. In his opinion, anyway. He isn't the sort to lash out so violently and he isn't a murderer. But he might have been, if Terezi hadn't snapped him out of it.

He'd gotten the hell out of dodge and ran off from a situation for the second time this week. He's looking tired, beaten up and worse for wear and he has no idea where he's headed. His hands and the front of his stupid, frilly shirt are splattered with violet blood from a violent fight and he stops midrun to look down at himself and realize the state he's in. He's still wearing the goddamn costume and he needs to roll his eyes and groan at himself for it. Fuck everything, seriously.

[onedirectiony]

Loki could have had the worst week he's had in awhile, but nothing he had done compared to anything some of the other tributes had. He was pretty unaffected by the series of events. He was in new shoes, new clothes, and had a backpack with various supplies in it that he had picked up along the way (including some additional clothing pieces)...including the blades and shoe laces from the ice skates he had been given - having gotten rid of the boot portion otherwise.

For how frustrating it had been, he was still at least a little worried about his friend (he'd never admit he actually cared a little). So, seeing him away from the Cornucopia was a nice surprise. He had to approach this carefully. They were playing a game for the Capitol, so he couldn't force it. He also couldn't call Dave an idiot (or say "I told you so" even if he wanted to).

He has to seem compassionate, at least towards Dave, if this were to work. But he also couldn't over do it. It'd be obviously forced.

He's not sure what he's covered in (blood perhaps). "I was worried about you," he said, stepping towards him.

[shenunigans]

To nobody's surprise, Loki is doing a lot better for himself. Really, Dave, this is your second Arena and not your first brush with life or death situations. There's no excuse for wandering around with no supplies, no weapons and no leg to stand on, but here he is.

He jolts when Loki approaches, clearly a little tense from whatever he'd been doing. He seems confused at first, but eventually he feels relieved and just a little eager to see his good trickster friend. "You're a sight for sore eyes. Literally, actually." A smirk tugs at his lips and he steps forward ever so casually.

"What can I say? I just can't help keeping you hanging." He just shrugs.

[onedirectiony]

"You've looked better," Loki said. He was curious as to what happened with the prison break. He knew it didn't go well, and he knew that he was right. With the cameras on them, it wasn't appropriate for him to call Dave out on it. If he wanted the Capitol citizens to believe that they were pursuing a relationship, anything he said had to sound like it was coming from a place of total concern.

"So, I'm guessing you got into a fight?" He stepped in, resting a hand on Dave's cheek, and leaning in to check out Dave's face.

clara is a concerned mom who would like to know where dave's helmet is :|

[seestheman]

It would be thought that, considering the last time she was away from the safety of the breakroom that Alex had found for her to hide in she had lost an eye, she would be smart enough to try to stay hunkered down at night. But Clara's restless tonight so, making sure she's wearing the eyepatch she stole from the store based on Molotov over the gauze, just in case, she ventures out.

Most everything is locked down for the night and she's on her guard, just in case Venus someone decides to jump her again. Which is when she hears Dave's voice nearby and can't help but feel a little guilty. It isn't that she's ashamed of the eyepatch (well, maybe a little), but she hasn't tried to find him since that first night and she knows he's going to freak out on her when he sees what happened.

She follows the sound of his voice and quietly sneaks up on the two boys, though staying a safe enough distance behind that they won't kill her in a panic. "Isn't it past your bedtime, Dave?"

with his sense of self preservation

[shenunigans]

It looks like logic doesn't always run in the family, regardless of whether they share any actual blood or genetics. When Loki had found Dave, he was wandering around unarmed with no supplies like the child genius he is. He hasn't exactly done well for himself until now, but he can at least boast the fact that he is very much alive.

At least this time, he isn't entirely jolting in surprise, but he plants a foot hard on the ground to break the rolling so he can turn over his shoulder and look at Clara with an indignant expression. The expression remains set for about half a second before he very nearly sputters out a swear.

"Oooh, girl. That had better be on your face for a sweet joke." He has a very bad feeling it isn't and the worry is apparent in his face already.

gdi dave

[seestheman]

The sad, little smile she shoots him says it all. She almost points out that, hey, when she dies she'll go back to the Capitol and it'll be fine. (Well, relatively fine, depending on how she dies.)

"I'd prove to you that it isn't a joke, but trust me, you don't want to see it," Clara says, trying to play it off as if it isn't a huge deal. As if she didn't spend a good hour the first day afterwards curled up in the break room Alex had found for her, staring at the socket where her right eye once lived and trying to convince herself that this was fine (and as if it didn't make her gag a little bit looking at it).

"So who's your friend?"

[onedirectiony]

While Dave was skating (with what appeared to be a lot of ease), Loki kept his pace easily beside him. The casual flirting was fun for him, and he was hoping it was winning them both some points (although he was mostly in it for himself, he did consider Dave a friend - and couldn't let his situation go ignored). When he hears a voice behind them, he stops in his tracks, turns, and takes on an immediate defense. Even if Dave knew and trusted her, Loki didn't so he had no reason to trust her.

He gave her a once over, listening to the two of them talk for a few moments, and his posture relaxed. He put his hands in the pockets of his pants, and approached her when she asked about him.

He was still appraising her. He didn't need to look like he was prepared to attack to be prepared to attack. It was part of him being who he was, and the confidence he always had with him.

"Loki," he said. No need for formal titles or last names. She'd probably get the idea. He eyed her eyepatch. "Someone got the better of you, then?" he asked. It was a simple question - (he was careful with his tone) serious, even measured, but still distant.

Bookshop

[arrogantalloy]

Tony had heard about the books and their contents, and while he never cared what people had said about him back home he had to admit he was curious what was in it here.

He had spent the better part of an hour reading the contents and amusing himself at the accuracy of it all even if it was spun to make him sound more like a supervillain sleaze.

The differences between a terrorist and a freedom fighter, he supposed.

As he looked up from the book while shifting his weight, Tony heard talking, with his curiosity already keeping him here he chose to go find out who was talking. It didn't take him long to realise that it was Loki and Dave. There were several levels of him being annoyed about this, mostly because he had told Dave to stay away from Loki, and Loki to stay out of his business.

Sure, he never expected Dave to actually listen to him, or Loki for that matter, but at the same time it's not like Tony explicitly mentioned Dave either. There's also a vague annoyance directed at Harley, who he's choosing to blame for making him give a damn about people younger than him.

With an unimpressed look, Tony lobs the book to cause it to slam against the wall behind them though closer to Loki's side of the couch, it should be said though that Tony hasn't got the best aim outside his armour so it could the target he was after.

"Well this is cosy."

[onedirectiony]

Loki sees the book coming, and rather than seeming flustered or angry about it, he shifts his weight to lean a little into Dave, a hand on his shoulder, a careful look, and a smirk right towards Tony. He looked pleasantly annoyed, but as far as Loki was concerned, he was leaving him alone. He didn't take the 'stay out of his business' that seriously, after all - it wasn't like he was actually hurting anyone.

Once the book passed and slammed into the wall just past his head, he slowly leaned away from Dave and looked towards Tony.

"It's really cozy. Do you want to join?" he asked. "I mean, you do look a little upset. Maybe jealous."

[shenunigans]

It's a little harder for Dave to pretend he isn't a little flustered by Tony. He hadn't really accounted for him when he weighed the pros and cons of sealing the deal between he and Loki. He has no idea that the two of them had a discussion before, he just knows Tony nagged him about this before.

Now, Tony is awesome. Dave admires him, he wants to be him a little, give or take a few traits anyway. He had his back on several occasions, so he certainly doesn't want to disappoint him, but he's also a teenager and rarely considers something he's been specifically told to do worth actually listening to. As such, he fully intends to stick to his guns. Sorry, Tony.

He can't help pulling a face when the book sails past, a brow quirking at Tony because really, but he makes sure to smile faintly at Loki when he leans in before he just stares at the older man.

"Hey, you. We talked about this." He gives him an accusing look. "Jealous? Don't make it weird. You're both making it weird." He gestures at Tony. "Sit down, read some contrived bullshit with us."

[arrogantalloy]

Tony at first choses to ignore Loki and turns his attention to Dave.

"We talked about this. Well there was talking. Well warnings." He looks between Dave and Loki just long enough to let them both know he's been talking to the other. "That seem to have gone ignored, but then considering one's a teenager and the other is well..." He doesn't say Loki's name, partially to see if it gets under his skin and partly because Tony's a child at times. "Guess every now and then people don't have to listen to me when I'm offering good advice."

When Dave tells him to sit down, Tony feels this deep fatherly childish need to just push them apart and sit between them. But that would not only involve sitting between two people who resemble teenagers, and having to touch Loki, two things he's not too keen on.

"Which contrived bullshit?"

Let it also never be said that Tony could be distracted with the right wording.

let me know if you want this changed!

[cassidykept]

Given that the average price of just about everything in this mall is something Tom would be hard-pressed to even consider worth stealing, it makes sense that he ends up in the book shop. Literature, at least, is valuable even when curated by idiots, and he doubts that too many people will choose to hide there overnight when they might still be searching for weapons and food.

He's only a little miffed to discover that his brilliant idea for a home base has already been occupied by someone just beyond the bookcase, or rather, two someone, both reading aloud and cackling as if there's no reason to be afraid of anything. That could be because they're stupid, but it could also be because they're confident in their abilities to defend themselves. After some consideration, Tom decides to investigate and ask some questions to see if he can pull some allies from the encounter.

'Allies'.

He appears from around a bookcase, hands in his pocket as if to say no threat here, nope. He has no intent to hurt these young men right now.

"The grammar on that page is atrocious. Hasn't anyone in this book store ever heard of an editor?" He looks over at Loki, a crease forming between his brows. "You look a mite familiar, lad. Have we met?"

It could go either way, really. Maybe Loki just has one of those faces.

perfect :3

[onedirectiony]

In truth, Loki is sitting reading books not because of his confidence in his skills (though he is) or stupidity (he isn't), but because he wants to. The murdering inside this arena was a part of it, and he was sure that he'd do it at some point, but for now he was enjoying the act and playing the game. He wanted to make sure he got better every arena by exploring all of the ways that one could possibly make it through it for some time.

He raised an eyebrow at Tom, he was used to people being familiar with him. He did once have a nature of picking random villains from his universe and using them to his advantage.

"Probably," Loki shrugged his shoulders. He shifted his hands (one was comfortably resting on Dave), and placed them against his forehead. With his first finger on either hand, he formed horns which curved backwards. "This might clue you in."

Then, of course, there was that smile of his.

[shenunigans]

Admittedly, despite having a hand in goofing off, Dave occasionally feels a flutter of worry for it before he calms down. The cuff on his wrist has him marked as a traitor and he can't help but feel like the fuckery won't end there. It hasn't so far, to be honest, but it's rough either way. The bruises all over Dave's face and hands probably indicate that well enough, but at least they're also a sign that he's fought and survived.

He's tensing as soon as he notices the stranger approach, showing he's a little on edge. Moreso than Loki, it seems. He's looking between the two of them curiously, wondering if the recognition is familiar so he can decide whether to settle or stay wary. The answer doesn't do much to alleviate concern, but he doesn't feel too at risk with Loki on his side so he allows himself to look settled. He's even going so far as to pull a face.

"You get that a lot, huh? Never me. I'm on TV and I'm still not famous." He gives Loki a sidelong look before looking at the stranger. "The only editing anyone cares about here is the miracles they're working up there." He points upward vaguely as if he thinks someone is sitting in the ceiling debating what to put on TV.

[cassidykept]

"Ah. Trickster god, right? I try to avoid meddling with extraterrestrials and deities, so pardon if we haven't met before." He gives a cordial nod. He doesn't know if Loki bothers to know what's going on in the more down-to-earth corners of their world, but just in case, Tom doesn't think it wise to lie. "Black Tom Cassidy. I'd say at your service, but I'm really not."

He takes a seat on a stack of books, twiddling his thumbs idly.

The boy, on the other hand, gives Tom a bit of a start even after looking at him for several seconds. He wonders momentarily if the bruises on the kid's face are some competitor's handiwork, but no, they're old, mottled from a few days. They threw the kid in looking like a mess. "You look like hell. If you're lucky, they'll Photoshop some of that shiner off."

oot and aboot

[plushaeusrumpified]

Ever since the arena started, Bro's felt pretty decent about it. It isn't like Silent Hill, or a sinking ship. You tend to know where you stand in a mall, when a little common sense is utilized. So overall, he hasn't been too worried, not about himself or Dave- especially not Dave. As far as he's concerned, he's dropped Dave off on an extended trip to the mall and they're both doing their own thing.

It just so happens Bro's thing has been spending copious amounts of time in the lingerie store, but that's beside the point. Regardless, he can't stay there forever and eventually he realizes he needs supplies. He's not gonna do it during the day like and idiot, so of course he'll be out at night like a bat. A brot. Some sort of nightly bro pun.

Lo and behold his luck, when he hears the voice of Dave and someone else, and he heads to investigate. That other voice is very much not the voice of the french chick Dave had been talking about before.

It's xoxo, Loki.

Ah, yes. Dave has gone the full gay. That's all Bro can figure. As it happens, he'll step around the corner just as the two of them are about to round it, his steps quiet as a ninja like always. "Boo." It's said in the most casual of voices, like his effort to scare them isn't really all that genuine. "Late night date?" Just as casual as before.

[shenunigans]

Every so often, Dave thought about Bro and Rose, but he didn't worry. The Arena seems like a slowburn for danger, one that most competent people would probably be able to survive in for at least a few weeks. Considering a wreck like him made it, there's no cause for concern beyond worrying about when they might show up and embarrass him.

Bro shows up a little sooner than he might have expected, but of course it had to be him. He's the one who knows everything about everything in Dave's stupid love life, he just hopes he has the good sense not to so much as mention Eponine. Even thinking about her name right now is a downer, but he's playing it cool.

He plants a foot in the ground when Bro steps out of nowhere, managing to keep his wobbles to a minimum as he pulls a face at Bro and casts a glance toward Loki. "Yeah, it's real frigging romantic." He retorts in a dry tone. "Good thing all the classy joints are closed, it means I only have to get you a taco, babe." He reaches out to nudge his hand against Loki's arm.

[onedirectiony]

Loki looked at the person who had addressed them both. The smile he wears seems charming and pleasant. His body language was purposeful and for the cameras. He looked back towards Bro, not completely sure who he is, but he can see a little bit of a resemblance. "It could be romantic," he said, stepping in close. He moved his hand to rest it on Dave's shoulder.

"We don't need any fancy food for a romantic date," he shrugged. "It's all about the company, after all." And suffice to say, he did find Dave's company quite enjoyable - with or without the roles that they were playing.

He offered his other hand to Bro. "Loki," he said. His tone was careful and polite.

Out and about

[ruffntumblenut]

"Get back here you little!"

A roomba came rumbling around the corner with a doll dragging behind it and hot on it's heels for a moment. That moment past when the boots she was wearing slipped causing her to trip and crash to the ground. They were a little too big for her.

"Hey! Hey kill that thing!" She shouted at the boys pointing at the Roomba which was trying to escape in their direction with the blond doll.

[shenunigans]

The moment he hears the yell, Dave is tensing and preparing for a fight. He spares a glance at Loki, stepping off his skateboard and kicking it so he can catch it in his hands, raising his eyebrows at the girl crashing on the floor nearby.

He vaguely considers ignoring the order, but when the Roomba comes at him he can't resist bringing his skateboard down onto it hard and fast. Luckily, the board is sturdy enough that it doesn't suffer much damage, but the Roomba only falters somewhat from the blow.

"I tried." Not very hard, though.

[onedirectiony]

Loki watches the entire thing for a second. What would a Roomba even want with a blonde doll? It seemed a little peculiar, and gave him the idea that attacking it might cause it to be aggressive. So, if he was going to attempt to kill it - he was going to go all in. Since she asked for it to die, he was going to do exactly that.

Dave swings, and it seemed like it should kill the Roomba. "Right, then." He lifted up his foot and put his full weight into the Roomba, kicking it hard.

at night

[knifewithnoname]

Pruna crept along quietly, checking every now and again to make sure Sandy was still with her. She saw no point in them trying to sleep at night, Sandy's nightmares were worse than ever and often Pruna would wake up in terror, barely able to breath until she convinced herself she was here in the arena and not back in prison.

Strange how the arena seemed safe in comparison, at least she could fight off those that tried to hurt them. She refused to consider these night time terrors nightmares, nightmares were stupid. Leaky faced people like Sandy who had never been trained had nightmares. People like Pruna didn't, she never had done and she refused to have them now, no matter what happened.

Of course her stupid brain had refused to comply with that command and so she had announced that night time was the best time for stealing, and here they were. Pruna had an ice skate in her hand, she was barefoot though she had found some clothes that weren't the leotard she had worn in the cornucopia and a bag she had taken from a shop slung over her shoulders. The book about her she had stored in there.

She spotted the two boys and wrinkled her nose, gesturing at Sandy to stop. She didn't know what the rolling wood thing was but it made noise and was stupid, in fact everything about these two screamed stupid and easy to steal from. She turned to grin at Sandy.

Re: at night

[justoutrunyou]

Sandy was dressed in baggy clothes of her own, including a striped shirt and hoodie. Unlike Pruna she had pulled on a pair of soft velcro sneakers avoiding the ones with blinking lights because as fun as they may be it wasn't a good idea.

As far as weapons went Sandy appeared to have improvised and was hefting a heavy black pole on her shoulder. Upon closer inspection it was the kind of pole that had a build in ribbon of fabric to connect to other poles and form a barrier. She must have stolen it from the movie theater.

Pruna was grinning so she smiled back but had an ominous feeling in her gut. This would be her first time trying to mug someone since the arena started.

Part of her, a sickly disgusting part of her that she was still getting used to insisted that they leave no survivors. But she did not share that with Pruna. She would probably be all too willing to agree.

[shenunigans]

It's a fair assumption, really. Skateboards aren't the stealthiest method of transport, but they have multiple uses. He can get places quickly, use it as a shield and, best of all, smack people round the head with it if he so chooses. Still, chattering away and rolling around during the nights of a murder game couldn't be considered a clever choice, but it did smack of confidence. Somewhat.

With Loki, Dave isn't really worried. Not that he's worried on his own, either. He's a perfectly competent fighter and he's quick on his feet. Loki is probably all of that times ten though he's never seen him in action. Despite this, he hesitates briefly when he feels the prickle on the back of his neck from being watched. He dismisses it with a shrug, because he feels that way perpetually in the Arena. Instead, he chooses to reach out and give Loki's shoulder an affectionate shove to break the lull they've fallen into.

"Bam. Random ghost assualt. Sure told you."