voiceinthephone: hollow-art ([We're okay!])
Phillip Gray | Phone Guy [AU] ([personal profile] voiceinthephone) wrote in [community profile] thearena2015-02-15 01:52 am

[open] And think well, yes think as you are fighting

Who| Phillip Gray and open
What| Surviving and other errands, along with a Valentine's delivery
Where| All over the Arena
When| End of Week 3 (Valentine's) Twelve hours before Nick Sr. finds him
Warnings/Notes| Arena shenanigans and flashbacks of his home

Lasting this long in the Arena, almost three weeks surviving, Phil uncovered his mouth to let out a soft chuckle. He'd joked with Piers Nivans that he'd only last two weeks tops back at the Crowning, that he wasn't much to behold. Dandy called him fodder for killers, that there wasn't any other place for him in this world unless he was guilty of something. But Nivans was dead, and Gray had watched Mott die. It wasn't a natural transition for him, Gray admitted as he'd patched Venus up that day, to go from having basically no agency on whether he lived or died to making choices, good or bad. It felt...liberating. It felt so good that his chuckle became a full-on laughing fit that toppled him onto the ground. He was alone, with the cameras watching, so he uttered a thanks to the viewers, well aware that someone on the other side of the lens would hear him. He also said it to the people that helped him get this far: to Sandy, Milo, and every Sponsor Stephen sent. Phil owed them his life and come hell or high water, he'd stand by them.

A Sponsor packet drifted across the sky, almost dancing, prompting Gray to sit up. "Small one," he figured and got back to his feet. All he had of his original Cornucopia bounty was the bag it came in, he'd left the tent in Sandy's care to free up the carrying space. As Phil opened the package the moment it landed, the smell of flowers invaded his sense of smell, reminding him of his last Valentine's Day. It'd been the year of the first dead child and he still remembered how her eyes lit up at the sight. "Erm," he had an embarrassed look on his face, especially when the tag read his name, "Two dozen roses..." That was two bouquets to do as he pleased with. Checking his wares and confirming he had enough food and water to last him a day, Phillip decided to make a trip. He knew exactly who to give these to. As a professional thank you of course! Nothing else.
futilecycle: (Dream until your dreams come true...)

[personal profile] futilecycle 2015-03-04 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Sigma knows he has hit a nerve and in spite of his caring nature, he cannot help but feel some satisfaction at Phillip's reaction - it was proof enough that Phillip had a developed sense of empathy. Such a trait was surprisingly rare in the Arena. At the question, Sigma puts on a somewhat sinister smile. "Why would I help an enemy, hm? I suppose that would strike you as rather odd. One reason is that this will be my last Arena in the Hunger Games - if a new Tribute can make use of my advice going forward, I shall be very pleased, indeed. You see, soon I will be a Panemian citizen: above all, I desire an exciting game, and I could not stand to hear you refuse to participate."

Of course, he would say nothing about trying to evaluate the content of Phillip's character. If a Rebellion were going to rise and Tributes came and went, they would need to make sympathizers of the new players... "...As for why I have no desire to kill you, most Tributes despise me and nights are much easier to survive with a partner. Two can swap shifts between sleeping and playing watchmen - and I can bank on you being unable to slit my throat as I rest."
Edited 2015-03-04 03:11 (UTC)
futilecycle: (And for every well that he warned me of)

[personal profile] futilecycle 2015-03-07 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
"If you think that is hard to live with, wait until you meet your fanbase," Sigma tries to joke. It isn't funny, seeing as rabid fans of the Games were very unpleasant people. "In all seriousness, leaving will be a relief. But, who knows: I may yet live up to the stereotype of dying just before retirement." By which he meant something more permanent than the cycle of post-Arena ressurection, of course.

Unsuccessful humour attempted and failed, Sigma is back to business. "I was prepared to offer the first watch, but if you would prefer it, it is a waste of energy to argue. Do be sure to get enough sleep when you are able, though. You may yet end up looking like me."

...Now he's flushed the sarcasm out of his system.
futilecycle: (WHAT.)

[personal profile] futilecycle 2015-03-14 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Sigma can't prevent an embarrassed blush from forming on his cheeks. That all but confirmed that Phillip was dead at home, and Sigma's joke had been rather insensitive in light of that fact. At least Phillip seemed to be taking it in stride.

"Ah... I suppose that would be the case..." he mutters sheepishly. He's grateful for another question to answer. "Oh, yes. We are regular characters to these people. A handsome young man such as yourself is bound to have some immediate admirers..." Sigma smirks knowingly. "Who knows? You may get some valuable survival gifts out of it. Or, perhaps, you'll find your face plastered on the side of a cologne advertisement. Either way, prepare yourself for the attention." Sigma had always found the advertisements he'd been in as an overwhelming invasion of his privacy, and thought Phillip would want to be warned beforehand.
futilecycle: (A hero begging change)

[personal profile] futilecycle 2015-03-21 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
Sigma stares at the floor as Phillip answers, deeply unsettled. He'd almost forgotten what it was like to be confronted with the permanent death of someone so young. Even approaching the age of 70, Sigma considered himself too young to die - mistake or not, how could Phillip possibly be at peace with himself?! He decides not to let the topic resurface, and continues on: "Unfortunately, Mr. Gray, we are their stars," Sigma answers with a wry smile. As for bidding, even Sigma can't help but shake his head disapprovingly. "I haven't heard of Tributes in this generation of the Games being bid on," he answers neutrally. He watches Phillip's expression, hoping the other man saw the warning in Sigma's eyes. Perhaps it wasn't so foolish to reject the victor's crown, after all...
Edited 2015-03-21 01:50 (UTC)