etcircenses: (Default)
Panem Events ([personal profile] etcircenses) wrote in [community profile] thecapitol2013-12-15 06:36 am

The Crowning of Enjolras

WHO| All Tributes and Victor, plus a few Capitol guests
WHAT| The Crowning of Enjolras
WHERE| The Tribute Center
WHEN| A few weeks after the end of the Arena
WARNINGS| Forced medical experimentation, needles.

The atmosphere surrounding the Crowning is both tense and secretive. The style teams flutter around listlessly, having received no information from which to draft their designs. Newspapers take bets on when it will be announced where the Crowning is being held, descending into grousing when no press release is given. Peacekeepers pour in and out of the Tribute Center, accompanied by scientists who occasionally pull Tributes aside and look at the veins in their elbows. Even the Avoxes seem jumpier than usual.

Aside from the Tribute Center's new giant marble statute of a nude Enjolras, posed like the famed David, one could almost forget the party is supposed to be celebratory.

When the day arrives, the Escorts and their assistants don't lead the Tributes to their style teams to be gussied instead. Instead, they hush the Tributes and bring them to their bedrooms, where a Peacekeeper, a white-coated citizen and several Avoxes await them. The Escorts instruct the Tributes to lay down in their bed and close their eyes, and a needle is inserted into their arms that the Escorts insist will 'take them to the party'. It's soon followed by a series of sensors taped to the forehead.

Just relax, the Escorts say, and they do their very best to make sure their Tributes feel minimal anxiety. If the Tributes resist too much, more Peacekeepers are called in, and the Tributes are forced into submission.

The first effect is a sort of paralysis - not the terrifying inability to move, but a signal to the brain that says why move? Moving is so much effort. It's quickly followed by drowsiness, and then a chill that radiates from the needle into the body, and finally, unconsciousness.

And that is when the party begins. The Tributes, now dressed in luxurious 1830's French clothing of a quality beyond even what their Stylists could manage, wake up in the front row of a large stone theater setting reminiscent of, simultaneously, Greek and French architecture. The floor of the theater is filled with buffets of every imaginable sort of food. Rose petals fall from the sky, which displays a sunset worthy of award-winning photography.

For his part, Enjolras sits in a throne made of books on the ring of the amphitheater, flanked by Marius, Cosette, Eponine, and bizarrely enough Venus Dee Milo and Ellie, seated on lush pillows and carpets made of dinosaur skin (with the heads comically attached and eyes lolling).

"Welcome, welcome, our Tributes and Mentors, to the first ever somnofestival, sponsored by Hypnogogia!" Caesar Flickerman, noted talkshow host and Games presenter, appears in a fabulous sequined toga in the center of the amphitheater. He doesn't need a microphone; the acoustics here are flawless. "And congratulations to our Victor! Let us hear it for Enjolras!"

He awaits applause.

"As you may have noticed, you're inside a shared dream, due to the just fantastic technology from the Capitol and certain, ah, biological contributions from our dear favorite Aunamee." He holds a hand out and gestures to Aunamee, anticipating wild applause. "We thought that for our most philosophical Victor yet, we should celebrate in a way that's a little bit…cerebral."

Caesar laughs and gestures at all the food, then puts a cheeky finger to his lips. "By all means, enjoy yourselves. Even the most indulgent desserts here won't show up on your hips tomorrow. The party only last three hours, so you might as well get started!"

He vanishes into thin air, leaving the Tributes to celebrate. Occasionally, the Tributes will hear voices in their heads - chatter from the Peacekeeper and scientist and Escort still in their room, in the waking world. Otherwise, this is a party like any other, if somewhat surreal in nature.

-/-

The party begins the same way for all the Tributes. For an unlucky few, however, it soon diverges as they come under an unfortunate glitch in the system.

They'll look around and find only a handful of their fellow Tributes around them. The sky, rather than being a magnificent splay of color, is now blank white, and yet the lighting in the theater seems dim. A sense of panic, detached from any conscious thoughts, surges forth in them like the tide.

For them, this isn't a shared dream. This is a shared nightmare.
burnedbrighter: (bitch please)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2013-12-31 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula was lucky that the celebration of the victory and the wine she had drunk was already leaving her flushed. Such blatant physical affection was still new to her.

"There you are." She purred with a proud smile. "Perhaps next time it will be you up there on the throne." She encouraged without actually believing for a moment Diana would be the next victor.

What were the odds of that happening really?

Still in her period appropriate dress Azula somehow looked...less silly then most of the tributes. It fit her with an air of regalia.
retrieverchef: content (content)

[personal profile] retrieverchef 2013-12-31 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Eliot smiled at Peeta, his eyes glinting with humor at the teen's observation. "That's a good question. Especially since none of this is technically happening."
keep_surviving: (Sly)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2013-12-31 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Diana smirked and bowed her head slightly. "I'll try my best for you mentor."

She took a look around the carefully constructed mental landscape and stopped in the direction of the service table.

"If your done talking to your fabulous new friends, think I could steal you away for some dream drinks?"
burnedbrighter: (silver tongued snake)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2013-12-31 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wouldn't exactly call them friends." Azula wasn't sure she had friends. "But of course dear, you have my undivided attention." She took the lead over to the table and got something refreshing, bubbly and cool that she could trick her brain into getting drunk on.

"Fascinating concept for a party. They really must pay their scientists better." She joked softly.
keep_surviving: (Default)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2013-12-31 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Diana followed her mentors lead, collecting her own glass to take generous sips of regularly.

"Does my important mentor get to meet many scientists?"
burnedbrighter: (teenage girl smile)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2013-12-31 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's not come up." She answered casting her appraising gaze over the crowd. "They rarely put in public appearances. They may show up at these little parties but they keep below the radar."

It was safer that way.

"And besides it's hardly necessary."
keep_surviving: (Smirk)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2013-12-31 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know. It's good to know a little about the people who make the wheels turn, don't you think?"

She flashed Azula a cunning smile from behind the rim of her glass.

"Have you missed me?"
burnedbrighter: (Can you believe this guy?)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2014-01-01 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course." She chuckled like Diana had just told an amusing joke and then in a more earnest tone, "Well considering how much time we spent together, it was nice to have some time to myself that didn't involve fighting for my life...but yes. I missed you. By the end of my first day back I was missing your company. As strange as that sounds."

It sounded strange to Azula at least.
keep_surviving: (Default)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2014-01-01 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Aww, now I'm flattered."

Diana chuckled. "Besties~" She chimed in a childish voice.

"You might get Howie throwing a pouty lip out at that though. Taking his title like that. Sly woman that you are."
burnedbrighter: (half a smirk)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2014-01-01 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Azula chuckled at that little image.

"Oh Howard already dislikes me. He dislikes everyone I'm sure but we sat down and had a little chat so I could determine how useful he would be to you. I'm sure he thinks he came out on top in the discussion." She mused cheerfully.
keep_surviving: (Playful)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2014-01-01 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
"You sat down for a discussion with Howie? And he was willing? You are good." Their were dimples forming her pretty face betraying her amusement.

"And it was about me? Ooo, now I feel very important."

Diana finished her drink and waggled her finger. "Ah, now, sadly I have to tell you Howard knows he doesn't come out ontop with me. My poor Howie How How knows me just a little too well. He might get a good deal, but I get a better one."
Edited 2014-01-01 00:32 (UTC)
burnedbrighter: bitterfire (How about a magic trick?)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] burnedbrighter 2014-01-01 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
Azula took a triumphant sip of her drink, "Well he didn't know it was coming till it was too late. He was trapped in social obligations." And she had savored every moment of it.

"He can think what he likes, so long as you come out on top." She reasoned. "He's no doubt working out how best to use our discussion to his advantage. But the gist of it was that I promised so long as he didn't give into his more weasel like instincts and tried to betray you, I would support him as your ally."

Of course that didn't mean Diana wasn't encouraged to abuse the agreement however she pleased.
keep_surviving: (Mock)

Re: Azula / OTA

[personal profile] keep_surviving 2014-01-01 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Thankyou mentor." The teen purred, then leant forward and pressed a much more secure kiss than the one from earlier against the womans pale cheek.
celebrityskinned: (Happy - Hot Shit)

[personal profile] celebrityskinned 2014-01-01 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Don't worry, if it's another woman? I'm not the jealous type." She winks.
swill: poppyapples.dw (ʙᴜᴛ sʜᴇ sᴀʏs "ɪs ʜᴇ)

[personal profile] swill 2014-01-01 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm sorry," he mumbles, and it's gibberish that he hears and that Guy must have heard, too. So he draws a breath, and everything still stinks, but the tanks weren't following and neither were the cadavers. He draws a breath and tries again- because this wasn't Korea, wasn't even real. Nightmares could be terrifying all they wanted to be, but they'd never hurt like getting crushed by tons of T-Rex had hurt.

He fights to fend off the smile. It'd be mad to smile now.

"I know you were trying to help-- you did. I'm just. I'm sorry. I appreciate it. I do." And the final bits were rushed and hinted at hysterics, but he couldn't be blamed for that. He latched on to Guy's words. 'Running'. He couldn't run, he rationalized. He was out of shape. He'd just lose his strength, along with his mind. He'd walk the path, and maybe it would lead to the same conclusion Guy's had. Maybe it'd be better, and he'd get out. "I'm a real chicken," he begins, and clears his throat. "I don't know why I keep being dragged to places like this. I'm really no fun in these situations. I don't process catastrophes like they want us to. We had training, alright, but I'm a doctor from Maine."

And he shrugs, but it's a shudder. "This is more confusing to you than for me, though." And that's not a question, even if Hawkeye supposes it should be. So he amends that. "Isn't it?"
celebrityskinned: (Basic - You Kidding?)

[personal profile] celebrityskinned 2014-01-01 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
"People tell me it is. Me?" She tilts her head to one side drowsily. "Personally, my life before was sort of like this, so I don't see what the fuss is, but apparently this place sucks."
letthemburn: (not so fireproof)

[personal profile] letthemburn 2014-01-01 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
More than they ought, at the very least. Beyond that, however, Iskierka would hardly have been able to say. After all, the whole thing is strange to her, from the buildings to what the various people in charge are capable of doing.

Conversation, on the other hand, is significantly easier, and takes her mind very much off the situation at hand. Whether or not this is good thing is another matter entirely. But given that it means she isn't likely to try attacking, it'll have to do for the time being.

"Why, of course it is," she agrees.

(She... may not entirely understand Kain's use of the phrase he has, but at least she's trying.)
whoseesbynight: (an unexpected surpurrise)

[personal profile] whoseesbynight 2014-01-01 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
Come closer she does. She's still curious enough, and it's not like there's necessarily anyone better to talk to. True, there are her friends and acquaintances but what else is a party for, if not to talk to new people. Besides, she's noticed the way Zelos seems to be looking at her.

Plus she's never mind talking to anyone, and that is quite unlikely to change.

"Hello," she offers, as soon as she's close enough to be heard. "Are you new? I don't think I've seen you befur."
letthemburn: (Default)

[personal profile] letthemburn 2014-01-01 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Well, Iskierka certainly won't complain about being admired. To be honest, she rather thinks more people should. Besides, she's never had anything quite as fine as this. Instead, she's always had to settle for making sure that Granby has a coat befitting the captain of a highly successful dragon.

"Oh yes, it is ever so wonderful, although I don't know why they had to put us to sleep first."
drpsychosomatic: (you are joking of course)

[personal profile] drpsychosomatic 2014-01-01 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
John didn't respond immediately. Tight-lipped and unnaturally still, he held Sherlock's gaze completely steadily despite the slightly exaggerated rise and fall of his chest that signified one very obvious truth: he was experiencing that strange blend of fury, disappointment and desperate hurt that only Sherlock was capable of inspiring.

"Unbelievable," he said, eventually, shaking his head. "That's what you are. Go on. Get the rest out, god knows we don't have enough time for me to tell you exactly how much of a colossal prick you are. Go on, don't let me stop you."
alldeduction: (look up)

[personal profile] alldeduction 2014-01-01 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps he should have finished with that, Sherlock thinks to himself, but it's too late now and really, it wasn't like it had changed much of anything, so John really has no reason to be angry with him.

He waves his fingers in front of his face and shakes his head as if rearranging his thoughts. "Good. Because you don't. You can be mad at me later, but when the next fifteen minutes are over, both your and my life depend on you pretending this conversation never happened." He leaned in, eyes piercing blue and trapped on John's.

"You can be as mad at me as you want but I need you to trust me. Regardless of what I say, or do, or tell you, once this conversation is over. I've taken pains to arrange certain safeguards in the event of my death."
dividedgirlofmine: to ramble (satisfied | my face they'll never)

Re: Susannah | OTA

[personal profile] dividedgirlofmine 2014-01-01 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
Susannah laughs happily and grabs Harley's hands. "Legs, girl. I've got legs!"
drpsychosomatic: (Default)

[personal profile] drpsychosomatic 2014-01-01 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
John listened with growing incredulity, the anger bubbling up through the hurt, making his eyes hard- and then Sherlock added insult to injury by demanding he trust him.
As if he needed to be told. After being played for a fool. And then, he brought up the last horror, the one thing John was certain he wouldn't be able to bear. He snapped.

"No," he said, interrupting, unnaturally calm at first, though it didn't take long for the rage to slip past the tight, overly controlled set of his jaw. His hands balled into fists at his sides.
"No, you know what, Sherlock, no. You don't-- you don't get to just do this, alright? You don't. Do you have any idea--"

He cut himself off and shrugged Sherlock's hands off his shoulders irritably. Seething, feeling utterly betrayed and so, so stupid, he gathered himself together and glared right back into Sherlock's eyes.

"Do you know what I thought, when you kissed me, Sherlock? Did you even care what I thought? Did how I would feel, what I would think- did it factor in at all? Only been bloody beneficial? You listen, Sherlock, you listen to me. When you kissed me, I thought that you were play acting. And then, then, Sherlock, I felt guilty, for thinking that you could be so cruel and inhuman, for thinking so little of you, my friend, my best friend... no, don't even think about interrupting me! I felt guilty for even thinking you would do that, that you would play with our friendship, the only... the only real thing there is in this god-awful place-- no, I'm not done, I'm not, I'm not even half done, so you can save your aren't I clever safeguards and you can at least pretend you understand what you've done, first, because if you don't I am walking away, I don't care how stupid it is. And you can trust me on that."
doc_holi: (means a lot)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2014-01-01 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
... Awww. Holiday smiled back at that. "Good to know."

It might have been odd for her, but she was more than happy to include Harley in her own circle.
doc_holi: (worried)

[personal profile] doc_holi 2014-01-01 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not very fun."

Not that she's done so in the Capitol, but it's sort of a common thing back in her home.