Arena 12 - The Spaceport

[etcircenses]

As usual the Tributes are woken up early for the start of the arena, leaving the Tribute Centre before dawn. A few hours ride in a hovercraft delivers them to their destination where their excited prep teams will outfit them in skintight suits that are colour coordinated by District (D1 is White, D2 is Red, D3 is Orange, D4 is Aqua, D5 is Purple, D6 is Pink, D7 is Light Green, D8 is Blue, D9 is Yellow, D10 is Dark Green, D11 is Lavender, and D12 is Black) over which they will be put into what is instantly identifiable as a spacesuit, complete with oxygen tank and helmet before being loaded into the tubes.

They rise up into what appears to be outer space and immediately upon emerging from the tubes Tributes will find themselves floating upwards with a length of rope the only thing holding them to their podiums. The countdown crackles out from speakers built into each Tributes helmet.

20

19

18…

The Cornucopia sits in the middle of a dusty crater with buildings surrounding it, made up of a number of chained down cases and cubes in limited numbers. Cubes which sharp-eyed Tributes will note look like they fit into the slots beside the doors that lead into the spaceport.

8

7

6…

The mirrored visors of the uniformly white spacesuits make it impossible to tell friend from foe. Tributes fighting for goods will have to risk harming their friends but the alternative, floating off into space or suffocating when their oxygen runs out, leaves them little choice.

3

2

1…

The gong rings out and the countdown’s voice announces, “the Arena is now open” before the line goes dead. The Games have begun.

Comments

[youbarium]

"Thor," Carlos breathes. It doesn't take more than a second for Carlos to understand -- he saw people use powers out there. He knows this is an arena where, at least part of the time, Tributes will be able to tap into their own paranormal abilities, where certain laws would be suspended.

And here Thor is, right in front of him, making it clear that out of all parallel universes out there, Carlos is in the one possible reality where Thor had found him. He is the luckiest Carlos in the multiverse.

It means they have work to do.

He meets Thor's eyes for a long moment, resolve flickering behind them. The smallest nod--a sign of understanding. Only then does his tone turn casual. "Thank you," he says. "...sorry about kicking you. I didn't know it was you -- I keep doing that," Carlos admits. "Last time, when Steve Rogers tried to rescue me, I gave him a black eye."

we can probably wrap this one up in a tag or two?

[worldsaway]

With how capricious Arenas can be, every second that passes is a second in which their plan runs the risk of being jostled. If Thor had lost Carlos at the Cornucopia, the frustration would be unbearable. He cannot do this without his vision and his knowledge, just as Carlos needs his protection and his power.

Their intentions are made clear in that brief moment, and it earns Carlos the smallest smirk so that he understands how eager he is to do this. At least he can play it off as amusement at his memories of Steve.

"Steve is far too pleasant to hold it against you, I'm sure." His voice is soft, he's still concerned for him. "Come, surely someone has a medical kit." He scoops his hands under him, moving to lift him off the ground so they can find help.

yes!

[youbarium]

"Thor -- Thor, he only got me in the shoulder, I can walk," Carlos protests. He will accept the help to his feet, but he will try to insist on walking on his own.

awesome

[worldsaway]

Thor patiently helps Carlos stand and he stops trying to pick him up at his protests. He doesn't move too far away, though. In fact, he's leaning in and placing a hand on the other man's shoulder.

"You will bleed out faster." He urges, fixing a hard stare on him. "I cannot risk losing you, Carlos." He knows how misconstrued that could be by the Capitol, but he's sure Carlos understands the significance.

[youbarium]

Carlos takes a deep breath, then lets it out. What Thor is saying is logical, and though he tries to defiantly meet Thor's gaze, he finds himself giving in to the logic and glancing away.

"...you're probably right," he admits. "Okay. I'll let you carry me, but only until I stop bleeding. All right?"

[worldsaway]

The defiance isn't doing much for Carlos, though his stubborn take on the situation could almost be endearing if things weren't so grave.

"Alright." He says agreeably, crouching so Carlos can climb atop him rather than being carried like a wife. Once he settles himself, Thor will step into the depths of the Arena in search of a medkit.