(no subject)

[gamemakers]

Who| Everyone in the arena
What| Even more reasons to hate the Capitol.
Where| Everywhere.
When| 4 am.
Warnings/Notes| Any group is being targeted to be separated. Everyone should be tagging someone they are not with, as well as those they are, as the Gamemakers are driving them apart. (You can feel free to search for, and possibly find your buddies later)


Once upon a time, when this place was a much happier place, fireworks would light up the sky, delighting children and leaving everyone with a magical feeling in their hearts.

This will not leave anyone with a magical feeling.

It was much later than a fireworks show would have ever gone. Closer to dawn then not, when anyone who could rest, even those far from it, would have finally managed to drift off.

It started with a strange, warbling music. For those familiar with this place it feels wrong, close to something they would connect with this show, but wrong. Distorted. Stumbling through a few bars, it starts to peter out just in time for a high pitches whistling.

And then the first firework explodes into the ground in a shower of bright colors, lighting up the castle. There is a moment of silence as the sparks fade.

And then all hell breaks loose.

Whoever is controlling the fireworks obviously have goals in mind. The strikes are tight, controlled. They are herding. Targeting the groups, the pairs, driving them apart.

The fireworks aren't made to kill (although a direct hit may), but they burn flesh, and leave anyone who looks at them too close momentarily blinded. Ever one is a shrieker, loud, louder then the shrillest fourth of July fireworks, screaming toward their targets. The arena is suddenly a shrill battleground, full of blindingly bright colors.

Th whole attack doesn't last longer than 20 minutes, petering off as the divisions have been deemed enough. A few squeal through the night here and there and then finally, blissfully silent.

Comments

[mediumdrip]

"Barbra?" he asked, his voice a little confused. "Is that you? It's Blaine. Remember? We talked in the network about shoes."

He flinched as another firework went off and folded back into the darkness, not wanting to risk being burned.

[acro_bat_ic]

"...You should see the pink pumps." She moved forward cautiously. She recognized him alright - but... well, something about watching a friend get ripped apart did something to your ability to trust.

[mediumdrip]

"Are... are you okay?" he asked her. Despite his own trauma he wanted to check on her, even just for a moment.

[acro_bat_ic]

No. "Peachy." She moves a little closer to him, trying to relax. If that's actually possible. She feels like her heart has permanently sped up a beat. She can't seem to raise out of her defensive crouch as she creeps forward.

[mediumdrip]

"Did you get hit by any of the explosions?"

Oops

[acro_bat_ic]

"Not yet," she admitted, glancing back toward the fireworks. The light really illuminated the dirty smudges on her face.

[mediumdrip]

Blaine flinched again at the light. "Did you grab your supplies?" he asked. "Or did you leave them?"

[acro_bat_ic]

Her eyes flicked up to his at the question. Why did he want to know? ...Maybe she was just getting too suspicious.

"I think you need to have supplies to grab them."

[mediumdrip]

Slowly, Blaine took off the back-pack he had been wearing and sets it down. "There's food, water and a sleeping back here," he told her before sliding it over to her. He didn't hand it to her, expecting her not to trust him enough to get close enough to take it. "The food are these little ration cakes so you only need to eat a little bit of it to feel full."

[acro_bat_ic]

She took it, carefully, managing to give him something of a smile, quickly followed by a frown. "Aren't you hungry?"

[mediumdrip]

He shook his head. "No, and I don't need any of it anymore," he explained. He pulled away then, intending to go back out into the main part of the park. He felt back about leaving her in the dark, but if the goal of the Gamemakers was to drive people apart it probably wouldn't be best to hang around.

[acro_bat_ic]

Barbara might be young, but she still knows a thing or two about being a super hero. Namely, you don't send people out alone into the fireworks storm when they say they don't need their stuff anymore.

"Where are we going?"

[mediumdrip]

"Out," he explained. "It will be easier for you to hide if you're alone."

[acro_bat_ic]

She hefted the bag, moving toward the exit. "Then why don't I go, and you stay in safety over here?"

[mediumdrip]

Blaine shook his head. "No, it's okay," he explained. "Just stay safe, okay?"

[acro_bat_ic]

"Trust me," she said, continuing to move toward the exit of their impromptu shelter. "Gymnasts are made for this sort of thing." Or at least that's what she hopes, as she stands there with the bag over her shoulder. She thinks she should maybe leave it with him, but she's been so hungry... she's having a hard time making herself let it go.

[mediumdrip]

He doesn't seem to regret giving it to her. He just nods a bit and lets that be it. It's better if they go their own ways anyway.

[acro_bat_ic]

Still, she holds it out. If he wants it, now's the time... Before she can think twice.

[mediumdrip]

Blaine doesn't take it. Instead, he pulls away to give her space.

[acro_bat_ic]

[She hesitated, then headed out. With the bag. Bye.]