Oh my love, I know you are the Candy Man

[gamemakers]

Although the mood in the Capitol is...taut, once the Tributes are in the transportation craft, things seem to lighten. The peacekeepers almost seem jovial - as jovial as peacekeepers ever seem. About half the Tributes are checked over and given an injection into their tracking device.

In the underground room, the stylists have all their prep teams running busy, dressing up the tributes in bright costumes, chatting with each other, clearly excited to have so much freedom over what their Tributes are wearing in. Each one is dressed in a personalized costume, elaborate, and entirely soft.

Finally the Tributes are placed on their pedestals and sent on up, all gussied up.

25 - 24 - 23

The light is blinding for a moment, before the candy-colored world around them comes into focus. And it's not just candy-colored - it is actually candy. Some Tributes might be reminded of the game Candy Land, if it was something in their home world. Music plays, scarily cute animals roam, and every thing just looks so gosh-darn happy.

20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16

The Cornucopia sits, candy-striped itself, and over-flowing with a generous bounty of food, weapons, and supplies. Even these all reflect the nature of the arena, brightly-colored, and cheerful-looking, just begging to be gathered up.

11- 10 - 9 - 8

They've all been warned not to step off their pedestal early. But as the final number ticks off, those Tributes that had their tracking devices adjusted in the transport suddenly feel a sting starting in their arms. A slightly diluted version of what Ariadne was given the day before is dumped in their veins.

The dilution doesn't help them, of course; it just causes the poison to take effect more slowly.

5 - 4

3

2

1

Go.

The burning is starting for half of them, spreading through their body, lighting their nerves on fire. Within 10 minutes it's effecting their motor skills, causing them to stagger, twitch, to move against their will.

Those who are small fall faster, barely lasting 15 minutes in the bloodbath. The stronger and bigger among them might make it 30 minutes at most.

By the time the bloodbath is over, the Cornucopia is surrounded by corpses. Half of the Tributes have fallen without even a single competitor having to touch them.


[OOC: Don't forget the OOC Arena post, especially those of you running for the Cornucopia. Every Tribute must post to this post. There will be a Cornucopia thread, and anyone else feel free to post as you will. Please add a tag with your character's name.

Those who were poisoned are anyone in group 2. You will have a second post up shortly.]

Comments

[cutshort]

There's a new interest in Hyperion's eyes. The kind that sees through the lie, searches for the truth and is just about to find it.

"And how are you enjoying it."

[ps_you_look_hot]

It isn't a lie, exactly. Nikola is fairly certain that anyone with eyes can see what's happening to him. Especially as it seems to be happening to quite a few other Tributes at the same time, and the girl's execution has to be fresh in the eyes of most.

"Oh, it's lovely. Not what I'd have in my own garden, but it does have a certain...flair, don't you think?"

[cutshort]

"I don't like it."

He has no reason to be cordial about it. It's too bright. Too much of a joke, even after the nature of the last arena.

"You look like you should sit down. Rest for a while."

[ps_you_look_hot]

It's sarcasm more than cordiality that drives Nikola's comments.

"Oh, me? I'm fine. May as well die standing up, if I have the choice."

[cutshort]

Interesting thing to say. Perhaps dangerous, if said too closely to someone like Hyperion.

"Do you?"

[ps_you_look_hot]

He would be shocked to discover Hyperion didn't already know he was dying.

"At the moment it would appear so."

[cutshort]

He found a folding knife again, his old and trusted companion, used all too many times to end a life. Hyperion could do him the favor right here, right now, if it didn't feel just a little too soon. He promised himself - and Venus - he would save a little showmanship for the remainder of the game.

Still.

"I could help you." In nothing less than a mocking tone, "Give you some assistance."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"I think I'm doing just fine on my own," Nikola said dryly, eyeing Hyperion with not a little distaste. "And I would so hate to spoil their plans."

[cutshort]

"Their plans?" Hyperion smiled, fingers curling tightly around the baseball bat.

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola rolled his eyes. Really if Hyperion couldn't work it out, Nikola didn't think it was his responsibility to spell it out for him.

"Never mind. You just take your bat and find someone else's head to bash in, thanks."

[cutshort]

He looked down, smile still on his lips, splitting to show a little bit of teeth. His nod meant nothing, grip still firm around the bat. Apparently neither of them was going anywhere just yet.

Eyes returned to Nikola. Did he know what that meant?

[ps_you_look_hot]

Have some more eyerolling at that, before Nikola winces, one arm curling around his stomach while the other grips a branch above his head to keep him on his feet.

"If you really want to stay and watch me die, be my guest."

[cutshort]

"Don't mind if I do."

He tilts his head. Go on, show him how it's going to end for you.

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola would honestly really like to be alone with his weakness, but as that's not so much an option, he'll bear it the best he can.

He won't, however, make small talk as the poison works through his system, seeming to burn through his insides. He doesn't cry out with the pain, though, simply grits his teeth against it, occasionally gasping when it's too much for him.

And then he starts to seize, and his hand goes rigid around the branch that's holding him up.