Mini Arena 3

[etcircenses]

The kids are picked up from the daycare bright and early, but by the Capitol instead of their parents. It's just like old times in the arenas, with only children to contend.

25 - 24 - 23

Stylists are starting to get used to the mini-arenas, though it doesn't mean they've been allowed to dress tributes in whatever they want. All the tributes will be dressed as proxy copy of a respective video game character. All tributes are reminded about the ticket rules for this round.

20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16

The platforms lift them up, and there is no cornucopia to be seen. The only way tributes will be able to help and protect themselves is if they go out of their way to harm another tribute and get the tickets, which will be tallied by their watches. The lights of the games flicker and glow within the dark. Classic video game fight tunes play overhead. Before them lay a great and stretching obstacle course, filled with animatronic enemies and various other hazards.

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.

[OOC: Remember, this is forwardated by a week.]

Comments

[a_minute_younger]

The water's effects take hold quickly and with a vengeance, making Gary equal parts hyper-aware and agitated. He doesn't like that look Punchy just gave him. Doesn't Punchy trust him? What kind of guy doesn't trust his bro? They are bros, aren't they? Suddenly Gary isn't so sure. He slows down and passes a sharp glance over his shoulder.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gary's eyes are narrowed, intensely suspicious. "We're on a timer, Punchy. We can't stop for just anyone!"

[culturalappropriation]

Punchy looks surprised, turning as quickly as if Gary had grabbed and yanked at his shoulder. Something's off about the kid. A crinkle forms in Punchy's forehead between his brow like a hurdle on a track.

"You think two tight homies like us ain't gonna have time to kill at the end of this Arena?" He tilts his head. "Ease up, dawg, we breezy. You ain't got your nerves acting up, does you?"

[a_minute_younger]

Gary's mouth curls into an open, incredulous sneer. "...No," he says, as if the realization is slowly dawning on him. "No, we're not breezy, and it's not my nerves that are the problem here."

He's come to a full stop now, turning on his heel, shoulders hunched and bristling. "I've had my eyes on the goal since we started," Gary growls with a threatening step forward. "And where were you? Off licking some other Tribute's ass because I wasn't screaming loud enough for ya? Yeah, some 'tight homie' you are."

[culturalappropriation]

"Dawg, hold up." Punchy's eyes narrow, but he doesn't cower. He ain't the cowering type. He squares his shoulders at Gary, not challenging him but indicating in everything less than words that he isn't afraid to get hit. "You know I got your back. And that's why if you're gonna act a fool right now, I'll put you down and carry you to the end if I got to."

He's a bit taller than Gary, but he doesn't expect a few inches and a bit more weight is going to knock whatever bizarre bug's got up Gary's ass loose. Still, homie can hope.

"Stand down, homes."

[a_minute_younger]

Homie's hopes are, sadly, in vain--Gary's too far gone to yield to reason and Punchy's assertive posture only eggs him on. It might not have been intended as a challenge, but that's absolutely what Gary takes it as.

"How about you make me."

There's pause, then a flinch forward as Gary raises his fists. No actual attack just yet.

[culturalappropriation]

Punchy reaches over and takes Gary's fist in his hand, holding it there. He keeps his gaze right there on Gary's eyes, not a trace of humor or weakness there. Just dead serious hero shit. And sadness.

"You'd have to make me make you."

Clearly, this is the wittiest dialogue to ever exist, and the Games editors aren't rolling their eyes right now.

[a_minute_younger]

Such wit, much protag. Gary takes that as a 'challenge accepted' and swings with his other fist at Punchy's jaw, a quick uppercut with as much strength behind it as Gary's bulk would suggest. Thankfully his lack of powers mean there isn't more.

[culturalappropriation]

Punchy takes it straight to the jaw. His face snaps to the side, but he throws his shoulder, clutching Gary's wrist tight. It's a throw that would pull an unsuspecting person to the ground.

Punchy's fighting style is all about incapacitation, about bringing someone down without killing them. Breaking some bones, though? That's game.

[a_minute_younger]

Gary doesn't have much of a fighting style, nor does he have a plan when he actually fights people beyond 'punch until they stop punching back.' This makes him a natural target for Punchy's more structured counters. Gary is easily thrown, falling hard on his back against the planks of the bridge. His mouth opens to shout, but all that comes out is a wheeze--the air's been knocked cleanly from his lungs. Punchy has him stunned, for the moment.