etcircenses: (Default)
Panem Events ([personal profile] etcircenses) wrote in [community profile] thearena2014-08-18 09:38 pm

ARENA 11-PaneMall

It’s pre-dawn when the Tributes are roused from their beds and sent to their tubes. Those who’d been imprisoned for the past few weeks had their heads covered before transport to the staging area, and there’s an air of confusion surrounding just about everything that’s happening until the stylists and managers arrive on the scene and try to calm everyone down. The reunions may be happy, but they're sadly very temporary.

The first clue that something strange is happening comes from their clothing: figure skating costumes with bright colors and sequins and ice skates strapped to their feet. Some may even find it difficult to stand with the blades on their feet, but as they're placed into the arena, all becomes clear. The mall skating rink seems quiet and quaint, especially after weeks of uncertainty and stress. Too bad the peace and quiet can’t last.

20

19

18...


Above the ice rink (which houses all 100+ Tributes) there are floors with shops looking over them. Large, bright fluorescent lights dot the multi-storied ceiling and create a warm, nostalgic glow to the place. Benign music is piped in from various hidden speakers to compliment the intended mood of fun and commerce.

17

16

15…


The countdown continues and the Tributes, some of whom haven’t seen each other in weeks, stare at one another helplessly. That is, until one of them boldly decides to speak.

"We're expected to fight here today," Steve's voice suddenly cuts through the tension in the room. It commands attention without demanding it, a conviction of truth in his tone.

14

13

12...



"To turn on each other through fear and self preservation. And we could give them what they want. A bloodbath," here he pauses longer, lets the reality of his statements sink in. Let people realize what he's saying, that this is a choice.

"Or we can choose not to fight. To instead work together," an option so many seem not to even realize they have. "No one here has to die by our hands today," he knows his speaking won't be without consequence, but he does want to believe he'll be the only one to pay for this.

"This is a risk. One many of you are hesitant to trust, let alone take. But everything we do here is a risk to ourselves and those around us," nothing in the arena comes without putting your life on the line.

"I, for one, am willing to take this risk, to choose not to fight," Steve looks around the room, making eye contact with a few people as he does. He's not telling anyone what to do, this is for them to decides for themselves; their freedom of choice.

But he's got faith in the his fellow tributes. "And I've got a feeling I'm not alone.”

… 3

2

1…


After the countdown ends, there’s a moment of utter still and silence. Then...

BOOOOOOOOOOOM


The room seems to erupt with noise and concussive force. The explosions are so violent that the muzak is paused in its tracks and shakes some of the Tributes off of their pedestals, and after the ice fog and smoke clears, it becomes apparent that fifteen of the Tribute pedestals and exploded there on the ice rink. Fifteen corpses lie mangled on the bloody ice: Deanna Winchester, Danny Fenton, Fili, Kili, Kain Highwind, Perry Kelvin, Julian Bashir, Clint Barton, Karkat Vantas, Sirius Black, Rahm Kota, Cinderella, Bunnymund, Robin, Rock Lee, and Rokk Krin.

The center of the ice rink remains completely intact and stocked with a few dozen keys of varying shapes and sizes. This is the Cornucopia and the Gamemakers are compelling the Tributes to skate for it.

The gong rings out, and the countdown's voice announces “The Arena is now open.” The Games have begun.
frozenfractalsallaround: (76)

[personal profile] frozenfractalsallaround 2014-08-20 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
It's after the run-in with Dave and Eponine that she catches sight of Shepard- the one that felt like hours, but in reality was probably only a couple of minutes. Elsa is still visibly shaken from it, but when she sees Shepard, relief and happiness pushes the bad feelings away for the moment.

There are many people Elsa hadn't expected to see again, and Shepard is one of them. All throughout the time they had been in jail, Elsa came to realize how grateful she is for Shepard and how without her, she wouldn't have learned so much control. Had she ever thanked her? Told her how much it meant to her? Suddenly you realize everything you never said, when you think you won't have the chance to be able to say it.

So despite how awful she feels, she's skating over to Shepard and- and goodness, the woman doesn't look good at all. It makes Elsa's stomach twist, but she pushes through it. When she's close enough, Elsa stops. "Shepard- are you alright?" she asks, and it's hard to resist the urge to just hug her, with how relieved she is to see her.
earthborn: (where she has taken no precautions)

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-08-20 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I'm fine," she'll spread her arms out, and it's an expression born of sarcasm, but if you're a little panicked it might be misinterpreted as permission to hug, "I really like getting my face caved in, you know how it is."

Actually, she might not mind that hug, come to think of it.
frozenfractalsallaround: (37)

this was my 1,000th Elsa tag congratulations you're the lucky winner

[personal profile] frozenfractalsallaround 2014-08-21 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
And Elsa is a little panicked, to be honest. She's definitely not in the best frame of mind, so when Shepard holds out her arms Elsa is quick to assume that she wants a hug- and to be honest, she wants to give her one. So Elsa moves in and wraps her arms around Shepard, pulling her into a tight hug.

"But you're alive," she says. "And I'm so, so glad for that."
earthborn: (appear strong when you are weak)

Is my prize Starbucks? Because I have some showing-up-late to do.

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-09-11 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Ow," it doesn't really hurt that much; if her ribs are cracked, then it's only a little, but they're definitely bruised. She's had so much worse, fought through so much worse, and died from less.

Really, it's the indignity of it all. But, after a moment, Shepard settles her arms around Elsa's shoulders and pats her, with only the minimum standard of awkwardness.

"I'm...glad you're alive too. For now, anyways."
frozenfractalsallaround: (15)

You know it babe. BUT IT'S OKAY it was worth the wait <3

[personal profile] frozenfractalsallaround 2014-09-11 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Elsa is quick to loosen her grip on Shepard, but she doesn't let her go entirely. "Sorry," she whispers, while continuing to hold onto the woman for a good, long moment until the hug feels complete. When Shepard speaks, she'll pull away, giving her a soft smile.

"For now," she agrees, a touch grimly, though it doesn't take away the happy feeling she gets from seeing Shepard alive. But she's far too aware of how easy it is for someone to kill her, the run-in with Eponine had really hammered in how defenseless she feels. "I can't stay long," she says reluctantly, wishing more than anything that she could catch up with Shepard for a long time. "I have someone to meet and I've kept her waiting already. But I got... distracted." Her tone is bitter, a little angry.
earthborn: (being unconquerable lies with yourself)

[personal profile] earthborn 2014-09-25 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"I get it, extenuating circumstances," Her smile owes a lot of its lineage to a grimace, but it's genuine. Only-- her cheekbone is cracked, that's all, "Worse comes to worse, I'll see you at the after-party."

It's a lie, of course. Shepard is, for once, only half-sure she'll be coming back after the inevitable death. But right now, that's not what needs to be said. That's not the truth that Elsa needs.

"Knock 'em dead, kid. I know you can handle it."
frozenfractalsallaround: (1053_zps64587702)

[personal profile] frozenfractalsallaround 2014-09-26 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Elsa hopes that it won't be that long before they see each other, but she's fully aware of how things can change quickly in an arena. She hates to think about it, but both of them could possibly die an hour from now, if not even sooner. "Hopefully not that long," she says with a sad smile.

Shepards words make her chuckle softly, because she can't imagine herself knocking anyone dead. Well, she might have come close to wanting to do so to Eponine earlier, but that's only ever been a one time thing and isn't likely to happen again, probably.

"I'll try," she says with a small laugh, even if she doesn't exactly mean it. In a spur of the moment decision, she decides to give Shepard one last quick, tight hug before pulling away. "I'll see you soon," she says, firmly. Because she has every intention of making sure they do. Then, she'll turn and begin to skate away.