it was a blazing jubilee

[69problems]

Who| The Signless, Hubert, Harley, Kurloz and Dennet
What| General arena shenanigans, including horrible injury and attempted medical treatment. You know, the usual.
Where| Around the mall, the food court, and then finally A Touch Of Class
When| Throughout week one
WARNINGS| All threads except for the one with Hubert are likely to contain descriptions of third-degree burns and associated discomfort.

[For Hubert]

It's not too far into the first week when the Signless spots a familiar head of blue hair. He's reasonably certain (though of course he can't know for sure) that Hubert probably won't immediately attack him, and right now the urge to be around someone familiar is winning out against caution. After all he's been through recently he doesn't like being entirely alone.

"It's good to see you're still alive." It might seem kind of morbid as a greeting, but in this situation it somehow fits.

[For Harley and Kurloz]

Being used to living on very little can only go so far,  and eventually the Signless is hungry enough to brave the food court and the inevitable other tributes that will be there. He will not disappoint District 12 by doing something as boring as starving to death. With that in mind he crept in, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. Get in, get food, get out.

Like it would ever be that easy.

[For Dennet]

For the past while the Signless has been hiding out in the food court with Kurloz, hoping that his burns will heal and knowing that they're bad enough that they probably won't for a good long while. At least the one on his arm is bad enough to to be painless (though that's small comfort), but a good amount of the burn on his face isn't deep enough to have burned away the nerves entirely and it hurts. He hasn't been able to sleep well at all and thank goodness for straws or eating would have been similarly unfun, if doable.

Right now the food court is empty. He paces between the chairs and tables, hoping to distract himself a little from the pain with mindless movement, and startles when he see someone move out of the corner of his eye. No curling horns, so it can't be Kurloz. Immediately he ducks under a table, hoping he wasn't seen.

Comments

[broadsidewaltz]

Hubert's extremely careful about wandering this mall. After all, even though those words of peace and rebellion float through the still air, one can never fret enough (or maybe Hubert himself just couldn't). Either way, thankful the booties he had picked up in favor over skates didn't make too much noise on the mall floors, he opted to simply play it safe for now.

Noticing the acquaintance he had made when he arrived, and calling out to him somewhat amiably at that, Hubert tensed. Although he wouldn't draw any weapons... instead opting to nod in his direction, giving him something of a once over before moving in at a normal distance.

"And to you, as well. That was... quite the spectacle." Referring to the explosion, certainly. "They don't do that often, do they?"

[69problems]

The explosion is the last thing Signless wants to think about right now, and that's probably obvious from the way his expression falters. Logically he knows Karkat will probably come back: he's entertaining, he's a fighter, he has a small but dedicated fan following. He should be fine... but there's always that niggling doubt.

"Not like that, no. But they like to keep us on our toes in the arenas. If it's not something like that it's often something else."

Nevermind that in this case it almost certainly wouldn't have happened if Steve hadn't spoken up.

[broadsidewaltz]

Noticing the change in expression, Hubert guesses that he may have known someone caught in it-- frown deepening.

"I imagined so." He found the outright speech more than a little stupid-- and now, knowing the consequences of such outright rebellion, even stupider. Sure, he had thought of his brother Asbel and how he might do the same. But that didn't make the action any less ridiculous. "Despite how inspiring it may be, such a speech was definitely not going to go without consequence."

"How are you faring? Any injuries?" he'll ask immediately, giving him a once-over as if to scan for such. He didn't really know what to do considering these Arenas were made for battle. But if they were to be so peaceful, he may as well make himself useful.

[69problems]

"Nothing I can't deal with," he says. A cracked horn. Some bruising, residual from his time spent in jail. Minor cuts. Certainly nothing that would hinder him too badly or making him a target, just little annoyances that could be ignored.

"What about you? Have you been holding up alright? It's hardest the first time, when you don't really know what to expect."

It was almost bizarrely funny, the idea of casually talking someone through how to deal with their first experience in a Capitol-flavor deathmatch.

[broadsidewaltz]

Although Signless looks a little beat up, it's nothing game-breaking, and for that he's a little relieved. Okay, so he doesn't really know anyone that well yet, but that doesn't make him a sadistic jerk either.

"I'm unscathed-- so far. I'm not sure if many people are out for blood at all." he admits-- maybe it's a good transition into the whole concept of the Games. "It's good, I suppose, but also rather unsettling."

Hubert found this all a little funny too. Casually chatting in the midst of what was supposed to be a death-trap to all but one.

[69problems]

"The first week is often quieter," he says with a nod. "People will be gathering supplies, learning the layout, working out potential hiding spaces."

That's what he's been doing anyway, though he hasn't as of yet found anywhere he really feels safe. Especially when his usual strategy is to move from hiding spot to hiding spot, this arena is not a good one for him.

"And forming alliances."

[broadsidewaltz]

"I imagined so."

After all, it only made sense-- to have a plan of attack before foolishly charging into battle. The terrain is something Hubert is wholly unused to, as well- he's seen air conditioning and technology, but never such a huge indoor... market-- or mall as it seemed to be called.

The mention of alliances has the teen's gaze meeting Signless' earnestly.

"I suppose I'll make this clear now. Unless you threaten either my life or anyone I may be with, I will make no attempt on yours."

[69problems]

That actually makes him smile, a genuine smile that manages to wipe away just a little of the stress and exhaustion that's been etched into his face for the past few weeks.

"The feeling is mutual." Not that it's even really a concern with him outside of the Gamemakers pulling a stunt like the previous arena and forcing him to act like an entirely different person, but he can't imagine they'd do the same thing twice in a row. That isn't their style.

"With that in mind, would you like to stay with me for now? In the early weeks at least it's safer to be with someone than alone."

[broadsidewaltz]

The smile and returned sentiment are enough to have him instinctively pushing a hand up to adjust his glasses, masking the smile that threatened his own lips. After all, it felt considerably relieving to know that at least one person out here was giving their word.

"That sounds fine with me. Perhaps we can find a less open space to assess what we have already and what we need to find."

Hubert might never admit it, but he likes the promise of company. Especially sensible company like this.

[revvinguptheharley]

"Someone's in the kitchen with Harley
Someone's in the kitchen I know
Someone's in the kitchen with Harley
Strummin' on the old banjo!"

The off key singing of Miss Harley Quinn could be heard as she skipped through the tables of the food court and gracefully flipped over the counter to the very shop that poor Signless had been about to raid. She hadn't seemed to notice him yet and was chatting casually with her stuffed animals. She had at least ten of them on her belt. These were the least of her flashy outfit which was cobbled together into an interesting assortment of red and black that formed a dress and jesters hat. Her face was smeared with white makeup that only barely covered the branding she sported on her cheek with the Capitol logo.

"Oh hush now Susie I'm just going to pick up a few things then we'll go back to the shop. But we can hardly have a tea party without cookies right?" Apparently she'd been in this shop before because she knew exactly where the Avox had stashed the cookies and pulled out a draw stuffed full of individually wrapped cookies, each as big around as coffee cup.

[69problems]

The Signless had been in enough arenas and seen enough recaps to know that voice and know that it meant bad news. Sure, he and Harley had had what was actually a very nice conversation once, but he was smart enough to know that someone who was nice (if a little strange) outside of the arenas was not necessarily going to be nice while in one. In Harley's case, he knew it for a fact.

Maybe he could just... sneak out some other way while she was distracted? He looked around, taking in his options, and was disappointed to find there weren't many at all. There was nothing for it: he'd have to run past her and hope he could get enough of a head start that she wouldn't bother pursuing. He could come back for food later.

The problem with this plan, he realized when he'd already started running, was that she was an acrobat and he was a brick with legs. Shit.

[revvinguptheharley]

The sound of running caught her attention and despite herself she grinned.

"Playtime~" She purred.

Springing onto the counter she scooped one of the plushies off her belt. It looked like her complete with a wild smile on her face.

Drawing up with the air of a major league baseball player she pitched the soft fluffy toy...which flew surprisingly fast at Signless.

That would of course be because she had taken out the stuffing and replaced it with a hefty lead paperweight.

As soon as the projectile plush left her hand she was springing off the counter to try and catch him in case she missed.

[69problems]

Her aim was excellent, though perhaps not purposefully. The shot went a little high and slammed into one of his horns: the horn Nasir had already cracked. The sudden stabbing pain as it split further dropped him more effectively than most anything else would have. He stumbled forward and fell to his knees with a whimper.

Welp. There went any hope of getting away.

[revvinguptheharley]

Harley was on him in a heartbeat and chose his horns as clearly the most effective way to drag him back towards the kitchen area of the little fast food shop.

"Hey there! How'd you like to be on tonight's highlight reel of arena death?" She offered with an unstable giggle. Once she reached the counter she'd have to haul him over it, but Harley was far from a weakling when it came to hefting bodies.

[69problems]

Fuck. Fuck, he was going to die, there was absolutely no way he was not going to die. His feet scrabbled at the floor and he shook his head as best he could to try and force her to let go, but she had every sort of upper hand here and the pressure on his cracked horn from her grip was making it difficult for him to do much of anything effectively.

"Do I-- do I have a choice?"

He had the good sense not to beg, at least, or to think that telling her to stop would actually make her do so. The people in Twelve deserved a tribute who took death at least a little gracefully. As gracefully as was possible while being hauled awkwardly over a counter, anyway.

[revvinguptheharley]

"You always have a choice kid! You are a kid aren't you? I mean it's hard to tell with you guys some times...anyway no matter what the Capitol says we always have a choice."

With a grunt she scooped him off the floor bodily, took a few running steps and hurled him like a (Probably screaming) Javelin at the blazing hot fryer.

"Make a better choice next time!" She shouted after him.

[69problems]

The good thing was that Harley's particular method of fryer-tossing meant the Signless was able to slow his momentum, to prevent himself from falling all the way in. The bad thing was that he naturally put out his hand to stop himself and wound up with his whole arm in boiling hot oil and a good bit of one side of his face splashed.

So, yes. There was indeed an awful lot of screaming, mostly after he jerked back and removed his arm from the fryer. The thing about oil was that it stuck to skin, and even skin as thick and durable as troll skin didn't stand much chance against that. The sleeve of his skating outfit was burned into what was left of his arm and the bits of skin visible through it were bubbling and discolored and, all in all, he actually would have been a lot happier if she'd just stabbed him.

SO LATE long boring story but I am here now

[biomechatronic]

Perhaps hitting the clothing store had been a good idea--not perhaps. The purple lame outfit was all manner of unseemly. Not that he figured himself a jeans guy, which was all the store he'd crashed into had in stock for men.

Maybe he was vain for having gone after that instead of food, but he's on the track of that now. There has to be something not pillaged. And he is on a mission to find it.

A mission that would probably go better if he didn't manage, somehow, to trip over a tangle of chairs, the sound of plastic and metal and the muffled cut-off curse echoing in the empty court.

NO PROB i've been sick, i feel u

[69problems]

... Alright. Someone who was clumsy enough to trip over some chairs probably wasn't a hardened killer, or at the very least wasn't being a hardened killer right this very moment. Cautiously the Signless stood and moved toward where the crash had come from, careful not to jostle his injured arm too much.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a loud whisper. There were still several tables between him and whoever this person was, just in case, but it couldn't hurt to try to be friendly.

Oh no! Hope you're feeling better!

[biomechatronic]

'Hardened killer' were two words never applied to Dennett Norton in the history of anything. 'Soft nerd' is more accurate.

Dennett muffles a curse, though why be quiet now after the big racket from just tripping over the chairs, because not only did he bark his shin rather painfully, but he managed to lose his grip on his weapon.

Which was the broken blade of one of his skates. Look! He's learning to improvise!

He finds it fast enough when he hears the voice, whirling toward it, and almost falling again. Don't mind the metal pointed at your midsection. He's a little...jumpy right now. "Me? I'm fine. Fine. Just a little..." Just a little catching sight of that arm. "You don't look it, though." Doctors. That's how they roll.

Much better now ye uvu

[69problems]

Signless holds up his uninjured hand, palm forward, fingers spread. Look. No weaponry.

"I'm not. And I'm in no state to be attacking anyone, even if I wanted to. You're in no danger from me."

Don't mind the horns and the large triangular teeth poking out over his lower lip. By troll standards he's as wimpy and unthreatening as it's possible to be.

[biomechatronic]

Dennett hesitates for a moment, before lowering his blade with a sheepish grimace.

"Sorry. It's...the first person I met here stabbed me in the eye." Then there was the young lady who stabbed him in the arm, and then...you know, the whole stabbing thing was getting old.

And he does take in the horns, taking a moment to place them. "Are you--and I'm sorry if this is a rude question--are you a troll?"

[69problems]

"It's fine. It's better to be cautious here. And yes -- yes I am. It isn't rude at all."

His surprise and relief are probably just a tad obvious. It's nice to meet a human who for once already knows he's a troll and, presumably, what a troll is. Though given the amount of trolls currently in residence it made a lot of sense that this human would already have had some run-ins with them.

[biomechatronic]

"I've met, uh, the one who YELLS a lot." How else to describe the Initiate? "He's...quite confident." He also killed Dennett on the ship, but that was actually all right.

"I. Uh." Can't help but notice the injury. "Are you all right? I mean. Considering?"

[69problems]

'The one who yells a lot' is probably a kinder description of the Initiate than most people would give. In fact, the Signless actually assumes that Dennet means Karkat -- the descriptions fit them both, and recognizing a Vantas when you've already met one makes a good deal of sense.

"I'm alive," he says, glancing down at his arm. "It hurts less than I expected it would, and I don't think it's infected." Yet, anyway, and that was all he was really worried about. He could get by without an arm and with having to baby half of his face through doing things, but the moment the gigantic swathe of burns got infected he'd be well and truly fucked. Getting medicine in an arena was something he knew he couldn't expect, not when he wasn't terribly popular and had just pissed off the Capitol to boot.