etcircenses: (Default)
Panem Events ([personal profile] etcircenses) wrote in [community profile] thearena2014-01-18 02:35 pm

ARENA 09 - THE MUSEUM

The Tributes are woken up early for this Arena, and switched from whatever sleeping attire they're currently in to a set of pajamas, each designed for the individual in questions. Women wear onesies, and most of the men wear two-pieces, but other than that any similarities are at random - the outfits are in all sorts of colors and patterns.

The floor of the helicopter taking them to their Arena location, and of the underground entrance to the tubes that hoist them to the surface, will feel cold under their bare feet.

Rather than bringing them to sunlight, like the tubes have in the past, instead the Tributes are presented to a dark concrete ceiling in a badly-lit parking lot. Fluorescent lights do little to illuminate the cavernous space.

The countdown begins, announced as if from far away.

20

19

18…


The Cornucopia, a ghastly thing carved from stone and concrete, sits at the center of a pattern of white and yellow lines reminiscent of spots for parked cars. The painted lines create a sort of spoked wheel, providing lanes for the Tributes leading to the prizes at the center. Some of the more unfortunate Tributes will find the concrete architecture has placed pillars in their lanes.

8

7

6…


Six parked cars lie around the outskirts of the huge lot, barely visible in the dim lighting. Glowing exit signs on two opposite sides of the chamber announce where Tributes should go to escape the bloodbath. Elevator doors are perched beneath them.

3

2

1


The gong rings out, and the countdown's voice announces "the Arena is now open". The Games have begun.

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-18 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
It probably didn't help that the girl was - judging by the location of her voice - in the clothing section.

"...I'm still looking for proper clothing. So, if you play lookout while I change, and not attack me, I suppose I can do likewise for you."
Edited 2014-01-18 23:05 (UTC)
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (we're all just players)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-18 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
There was probably some kind of irony in a girl asking him of all people to play lookout while she changed, but right now, that sounded like as good a deal as he was likely to get.

"You've got yourself a deal, sweetheart."

There was nothing but their word to say that they wouldn't attack each other, but Zelos had no weapons, so he was just slightly wary. But nonetheless, he slowly stood up from behind the case, body tensed, ready to react if she went back on her word. He kept a friendly smile on his face, and empty hands outstretched as a show of good faith.

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-18 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Slowly, Kuubey's Homura's head poked out from the clothing.

"Then, give me five minutes. And keep close watch on the elevator."

At this, the head slowly went back into the aisle.
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (oh hey there)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-19 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
He opened his mouth to ask exactly how he was supposed to keep time, before thinking the better of it. Zelos edged his way into a spot where he could see three of the elevators. The other three were, unfortunately, in his blind spot, but there was no way he was turning his back onto the confirmed source of danger.

Five minutes seemed so short in idea, but time ticking by as he waited for the girl to finish made it seem so much longer. "Wanna hurry it up? I'm gonna grow old waiting here."

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-19 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can promise that no one will grow old in this arena."

Soon enough, the hated Kyuubey costume was flung though the air, and the clothing rack began to shift around. A minute later, Homura emerges, wearing a t-shirt with the slogan "I <3" with a circular item under it. As well as pajama shorts. And striped socks, which she has several pairs scooped under her arms.

"I'm finished," at this, she walked forward. "I shall keep watch for you, now."
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (this is a cruxis crystal)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-19 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thanks, hun." Zelos gave her a slightly scrutinizing look as she walked past him. She looked even younger than he'd expected, though appearances could be deceiving, he knew that from experience. Strolling into the clothing aisle, he took a look around. It was like tacky shirts galore, but beggars couldn't be choosers...

A few minutes later, he comes back out to approach the girl. He'd thrown a dark gray hoodie over his pajama top, and changed his bottoms into a pair of sweatpants.

"See anyone else?"

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-19 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Homura's eyes strayed over to Zelos for a moment, before going back to the elevator.

"The elevator's coming back down to this floor. We'll see if anyone comes out, soon enough."
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (chyeah right)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-20 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
Zelos moved slightly, so he was out of the immediate view from the elevators, and considered his next move. Taking another discreet look at the girl out of the corner of his eye, he could see she managed to snag something from the Cornucopia. That was more than he had, and if she could get out of the Cornucopia without serious injury, well, that had to speak about some ability.

"I'm Zelos, by the way," he said, flashing her a slightly chagrined smile. "It's a shame we had to meet under these circumstances for the first time."

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-20 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
At this, Homura looked at him, her expression mostly unchanged.

"Akemi, Homura. District 7." She inclined her head towards him. "Our fates can't be helped."
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (you trust me huh?)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-21 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Huh. Her name sounded very distinctly Mizuhoan, but as far as he could tell, she looked nothing like the people of that secretive ninja village. In any case, if there was one thing he'd learned in his few weeks here, it was that most of these people were reluctant to start killing others left and right until it came right down to life or death.

So.

"That doesn't mean we have to make it worse. Truce?"

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-21 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Homura stared at him for a moment, before nodding.

"Very well. Truce."

How did Zelos known she wasn't a secretive ninja, though?
wronglychosen: ≫ manga (you trust me huh?)

[personal profile] wronglychosen 2014-01-22 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
From the lack of giant pink bows.

Zelos let it go without saying that any truce would only be temporary, as far as he was concerned. He didn't think he was exactly the type of guy who would kill a young girl in cold blood, but he didn't have to protect her either. If it really came down to it, that was...

But that was one question he had on his mind. Homura reminded him of Presea, acting all aloof and uncaring even in a situation that should've had her slightly concerned, at the very least. "You're not afraid?"

[personal profile] iflipmyhair 2014-01-22 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"No." She looked at him. "This is nothing, to me. Even if I die, its likely I will be revived afterwards."

It was the truth. She had other things she had to worry about; the fear of death in the Arena wasn't one of them.