Valentine's Day Boogaloo

[etcircenses]

WHO| Capitol characters and returned Tributes
WHAT| Valentine's day field trips!
WHEN| Week 4
WHERE| Tribute Center
WARNINGS| One of the options involves mild kink setup.

Rumors are flying around the Capitol about the 'dream tech' from Enjolras' crowning earlier, rumors that confirm that those Tributes who found themselves trapped in nightmares were the unfortunate victims of a glitch. Supposedly, the technology was recalled, and a new version should hit the commercial market sometime next year.

On Valentine's Day, Tributes in the Capitol are expected to cooperate with what the Escorts call 'a fantastical romantic dream' out of one side of their mouths and 'an uncompensated computer experiment' on the other. Eager to diversify their data, little white-coated scientists with tablets and clipboards lure in Citizens, Peacekeepers, Escorts, Visitors, Mentors, and anyone with a pulse to participate too. Participation isn't mandatory, but supposedly people who join in will be heartily rewarded for their contributions.

It'll be just like last time, the scientists and Escorts say, but better.

Participants are brought to their rooms with several Avoxes and a handful of scientists each. They are laid out in their bed, and a needle is slipped into their vein. As the chill settles into their bodies, electrodes are placed on their heads.

They fall asleep, and they wake up surrounded by other participants in one of five lifelike virtual scenarios.

1. The Beach

It's sunset on a gorgeous white-sand beach. The sun is setting, throwing brilliant color all over the water, and in the background some samba music is playing. Participants are barefoot and in sarongs or swim shorts, and fruity cocktails seem to appear from nowhere whenever the participants so much as think of thirst. The water is warm, and dolphins leap from the waves in the distance. Some of them swim up close enough to pet.

2. The Ballroom

A beautiful ballroom is filled with red heart-shaped balloons and romantic music. Participants are paired up in twos by shadowy figures and asked to waltz. The champagne flows freely, and partway through the night a disco ball above explodes into miniature white doves. Participants are dressed in outfits made entirely of diamonds and wisps of pink clouds, like cotton candy.

3. The Canals

Participants sit in a long canoe traveling along the canals of a clearly historical city, run-down but recently spruced up with paint and balloons. The sun is rising, and the pink dawn is reflected in the perfectly still water. Little h'ors d'euvres are sitting on tiny plates in the gondola, pieces of cheese and bread and tiny cups of gelato. In the distance, someone sings about 'l'amor'.

The gondolier is an Avox, so your mileage may vary on how romantic that is.

4. The Opera

Participants sit side-by-side in plush velvet seats in a huge opera house (the other seats are taken by nondescript shadows of people who seem to vanish if they're looked at too long). A beautiful female opera singer serenades the participants one by one, often by climbing onto their laps and providing them with kisses along the cheekbones. Between acts, the opera transforms into a dance club, with pounding electro songs about heartbeats.

5. The Candlelit Dinner in the Bedroom

A small table is set up inside a hotel room. Fat lobsters with sauce are laid out on plates next to bowls of soup, and fine wine bottles sit next to glasses so clean they sparkle. A huge four-poster bed with sheer curtains sits in the center of the room, next to a window portraying a full moon and a magnificent skyline. Constellations of hearts abound in the night. Rose petals are strewn throughout the room, which is lit by red and white candles.

Next to the bed is a mahogany dresser, and if one looks inside they will find all manner of sexy lingerie. There are some toys - fuzzy pink handcuffs, a tickler feather - but nothing too risque.

[OOC: Please select one of the options below for your character to have a 'slightly too crowded to be romantic' field trip. Then tag around in your option. The reward will be revealed at tonight's death roll.]

Comments

THE BEACH

[etcircenses]

Re: THE BEACH

[revvinguptheharley]

"It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
that she wore for the first time today
an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
so in the padded cell she wanted to stay"

Harley had taken to this setting unremarkable fast and to entertain herself she had taken to making sand sculptures. She had surprising skill at it as she patted the wet sand around a hill that appeared to be a curvy woman sitting in an oversized flower.

Snatching up yet another fruity drink she slugged it down as she admired her work. She herself was in a shamelessly small red and black bikini top with her trademark diamond pattern featured on the left cup as well as tight shorts. Her hair was pulled into ponytails as was her usual fashion and she had somehow procured an oversized sunhat and turtle shell sunglasses.

Harley enjoyed this dream technology, but then again Harley was one who believed that reality was far too boring on it's own.

[iflipmyhair]

Harley wasn't the only one relaxing on the beach. Though, of course, she didn't notice Harley. Or perhaps Homura did, but was allowing herself to be blissfully ignorant of the older woman's presence.

She was hardly one for romance, or she thought so. Nevertheless, she decided, why not, with a shrug, to the confusion and surprise of the conductors of the test. Even if the glitch was still present, her nightmares were hardly anything she hadn't gotten used to by now.

In the meantime, she sat under an umbrella, in a reclining beach chair, a dark purple sarong draped over her shoulder. In her hand was an almost black concoction, which she sipped slowly, as if to savor and analyze each sip.

[ordinaire]

Anna hadn't been around for the first time something like this had happened, so she had no cautionary thoughts of what could happen or go wrong in it. She was still off in her own little world, trying to be the brave, optimistic one after what had happened in the arena...

And honestly? She was shocked that there were no scars on her stomach from it either. A forest green bikini top and matching sarong were what she found herself in at the beach... and despite the fact that she knew if this were real, she'd be burning to a crisp? She couldn't help but sit in the sunlight, at the edge of the water, drawing designs in the sand. There was one of those ridiculous, fruity drinks to the side, but she didn't pay much attention to it. Just the warm water splashing over her toes every so often.

[revvinguptheharley]

Finally! Harley had been looking forward to having a chance to speak with one of the princesses since their dramatic exit! She like so many other had gotten swept up in the drama of it all.

And so she padded over enjoying the squish of the sand between her toes and flopped down unceremoniously next to her with an almost manic grin.

"Pretty amazing what they can do with your brain these days huh? This stuff feels so real you'd never know you were dreamin'"

[hanssome]

The promise of hearty rewards had quickly drawn Hans into playing along. He's bored, networking gets tiresome and this sounded enjoyable enough. He finds it hard to regret it when he's enjoying the warmth of the sun and the smell of the ocean. He's wearing a lot less than he generally would in his blue swim shorts, but he has his chest hair to keep him warm.

It's fascinating to think this isn't real, but he gets a dose of reality when he catches sight of Anna. His stomach does an unpleasant twist, but there's nowhere else to go, really.

He pads through the sand quietly, working on his most careful smile as he approaches. He stops a little short of her, calling out in a soft voice.

"Anna..?" ..And now he's getting deja-vu. "We really should stop meeting like this."

Tardy to the party, I hope that's okay?

[sithcretapprentice]

Starkiller hadn't had the opportunity to have a proper conversation with Anna yet, but he found his opinion of her had already formed the very first week of Anna's arrival. The verdict? Intense dislike. Starkiller and Hans had already formed an alliance and then she had come along and disrupted everything. And worse? As far as Starkiller was concerned, it was her fault that Hans had been killed, leaving him without an ally for the rest of the arena.

When Starkiller noticed they were apparently sharing the same dream, he figured it was the perfect time to confront her. If anything, it ensured he wouldn't be tempted to stab her with something, since he figured death wouldn't quite be a thing here.

So he really thought nothing of thudding up to her, no regard for whatever she might have been drawing in the sand. His footprint is prettier than her drawings anyway.

"I think you and I should talk."

[hanssome]

[You don't have to say hearty reward twice to get Hans interested. Skeptical as he is, networking with Capitolites constantly is tiresome and the opportunity to take part in something like this sounded far more interesting. He barely understands the technology, but with everything that's happened to him so far his choices have become a little more reckless.

The beach is a welcome change from the cool of the capitol. The heating works perfectly, but nothing really compares to the warmth of the real fake sun shining on your skin. The smells and sounds of the experience feel so authentic, it's hard not to get a little lost in the fabricated fantasy.

After almost freezing to death entirely, he has no shame lounging in the sun and working on a tan that won't follow him home. He looks a little silly, even if the dark blue board-shorts are a little flattering. He's paper white with ginger freckles littered all over his body, a reasonable amount of hair scattered over his chest, arms and legs. It's not an untamed amount, but for someone with such grace and charm he looks like a huge goofball. He's more ginger than ever soaking up the sun like this, but he doesn't look like he gives even half a fuck.]

[sithcretapprentice]

I can't believe you talked me into this.

[Sorry Hans, that unimpressed, slightly annoyed voice is going to break you out of whatever carefree reverie you have going on. If Hans looks up, he'll see Starkiller standing next to him with his arms folded over his bare chest. Hans will probably notice he has scars every and that some of them look similar to burns as well as swords.

Starkiller doesn't seem self conscious, though. He doesn't really give a fuck. Mostly he's just wondering why he ever allowed Hans to talk him into this. He's not usually one for... relaxing. It's a foreign concept. He should be training, not this.]

I don't think a reward is worth this. It's probably more stupid toys, if anything. We should be training, not getting spoiled.

THE BALLROOM

[etcircenses]

[savedbyasong]

Fights between Shion and his escort were nothing new, not that they were fights to anyone who did not know Shion well. Since it was just a lot of stubborn silence on his part, a lot of loud explanations about why she knew better than he did on hers and the escort always won.

But they were battles of will and ones that Shion found himself losing more often than not nowadays. And so he was terrified as he listened to the scientists talking and his escort ensuring him that of course it wouldn't be like last time, and of course that had been an absolute fluke, the technology had been upgraded. This time it would be perfect.

Shion wasn't sure perfect was a word he would use to describe this, alright so it wasn't maneating giants, bees and piles of corpses. There was no Wesker trying to kill him. But he was in some kind of ballroom, in a costume so rediculous it made him want to cry being led towards someone else and told to waltz.

At least he did know how to waltz, it was the only dance he knew.

[quiteliterally]

Chris is torn between his usual cheer and general depression over his aloneness on this particular holiday. He's more than compensated for any and all upset however by drinking his weight in champagne. What, it's organic!!

If you are forced to dance with him, may the odds be ever in your favor. No seriously folks this is how he dances. Though he will also tell you drunkenly how amazing you look and that you are literally the most beautiful thing he has ever laid eyes on. Take the good with the bad, people.

[iphigeneia]

Felicity was likewise made melancholy by the arrival of this particular holiday, since it was only the second Valentine's Day since Pippa's death. Ordinarily, she'd have spent the day lounging with her sweetheart, eating chocolates from the continent and daydreaming of escaping to Paris. Now, she had no such distractions. She only had the ball.

Luckily, she loved to dance and she was a talented dancer. Supremely in tune with her body, she moved gracefully around the floor, waltzing with strangers or on her own. It didn't matter to Fee. The music was escape enough for her. In fact, she hardly even noticed how woefully pathetic Mister Traeger seemed dancing (if you could call it that) by himself.

THE CANALS

[etcircenses]

ota

[confidentially]

Jessica had always idealized romance. In spite of her tendencies to fall into bed with very little prelude, she still held close the idea that someday she would meet someone who would sweep her off her feet and carry her away, forgiving all her indiscretions and loving her regardless. It was a foolish fancy, she fully understood as much, but it was something pleasant to think about when she was feeling otherwise regretful.

Waking in the gondola was a shock to her, however. Her romantic fantasies very rarely involved anything of the sort, so she was a bit unsure as to what she was supposed to be doing in the boat. She could play coy or play sexy, but this setting didn't do anything for her. Clearly she'd have to liven up the mood on her own.

Picking at the hors d'oeuvres carefully, she nibbled thoughtfully and wondered how she could salvage the night.

OTA

[youbarium]

Carlos was not in this for the reward.

Carlos had discussed this with the scientist who had approached him, and had flatly rejected the offer. If it's for science, he had said, then I'll gladly participate, but I cannot accept compensation and maintain my scientific integrity. You did say no one died last time, right?

But being part of an experiment, especially one with no recorded fatalities, sounded pretty good to Carlos, who was still honestly in need of a distraction from the events in the Arena. So, here he was, in this virtual "dream-tech" world, peering around curiously. It was so life-like -- no virtual reality in his home dimension had even begun to approach this level of immersion. He had to take this down. Carlos reached into his pocket, looking for the tape recorder, and was disappointed to find it missing. "Oh, it's gone," he said to himself, frowning. Only then did he take any real notice of his companion in the boat.

Mouse | OTA

[pointandclickme]

He was 90% sure this was a trap of some kind, but that other 10% that demanded he find out exactly what the heck was going on had been loud enough he'd slunk into the room to join the slumber party. After all, they were already in a VR. Why go throw the hoops of making up a whole different one that they had to talk people into slipping into? That this fake one was a totally different process than the real thing- needles and soft beds over implanted ports and heavy machinery- was another odd twist. Were they trying to establish the tech needed for the Matrix never happened? To make this whole world even harder to leave?

This same line of thought cycled through his head over and over as Mouse (for once not even thinking about the joke to be made here) nibbled on a piece of cheese and frowned at the scenery around them.

"It just doesn't add up."

THE OPERA

[etcircenses]

Re: THE OPERA

[burnedbrighter]

Theater had always been a secret passion of Azula's. There was something to admire about actors as they made their lively hood telling entertaining lies in front of large crowds.

Singing actors were a step further because they had to entice you to accept a world where dialogue flowed seamlessly into choreographed musical numbers. The Opera was yet another step because of how elaborate and sometimes difficult to grasp the dialogue could be given the nature of the music.

She would never admit it, but it was one of the few things she had picked up from her mother. The woman had always had a fondness for live theater as well and would often drag them to live performances or bring them videos of theater performances that would never find their way out to district five

However, Azula did not like to be touched. Especially not by someone acting as familiar as this singer. As soon as she was shoved out of Azula's lap unceremoniously crashing to the ground the world shifted to the skull pounding dimly lit nightclub.

Azula flinched at the sharp change and glowered at anyone who might be laughing at her being kissed on the cheek by the imaginary singer. She needed a drink and she needed it now.

Re: THE OPERA

[medecin]

Joly had been...torn between being interested in the science of this thing, having had no exposure to the last time, and being terrified at the idea that they were going to perform experiments upon him. Particularly those that he found he did not really have much choice in. Terror had won out with the scientists approaching, and the needle going into him because he had learned through the tracker injection experience that things piercing his skin were never good.

However, here, in the theatre, things weren't so bad as he had imagined, perhaps. Here, at least, things were comfortable, and he could content himself with thoughts of dragging Bossuet out of an evening, of Hugo and Hernani. And the singer, while not Musichetta by any means, was hardly anything too horrible. He was no stranger to flirting occasionally, after all. A bit too familiar at one venture, when he squirmed away a bit, and well, the dancing club bit was incredibly confusing but all things told, it could well have been much worse, right?

"Is this meant to simulate the heartbeat?" He found himself calling, speaking loudly over the music during one such transition. "I think that one would find them a bit off if so. Any heart that pounded so fast as this, even in love, would be in quite some danger, I assure you!"

THE CANDLELIT DINNER

[etcircenses]

Re: THE CANDLELIT DINNER

[fire_punk]

Kevin had hesitated before agreeing. But he wasn't the only mentor for his district now. It made it a little easier to say yes when the scientists approach him. Besides, he was pretty sure he was supposed to say yes. He didn't really want to find out what would happen if he didn't cooperate.

He looked around the bedroom. He still wasn't entirely okay with this maybe being in his mind or maybe someone else's. But it wasn't entirely creepy. He walked over to the window and looked out while he waited for someone else to join him. Since it was clearly set up for two. Well, it wouldn't be all bad. He hadn't gotten laid since he got here. At least this should fix that.

[thatwasme]

Opening her virtual eyes to a place like this provided Barbara with a sense of disbelief, followed by amusement. Of course the Capitol scientists would be this level of depraved. She didn't see an ounce of romance in the setting, only the contraptions and trappings of something meant to turn people into yet another public spectacle. Good television, she supposes, but she's the wrong actor to set on this particular stage.

Barbara let herself look perplexed by what she saw, poking at the lobster on the table and pushing a chair straight. "Awful silly to put food in that don't make you full," she said, walking past the table and around the bed. The window feels about as promising as the door. She wondered if the scientists had programmed anything beyond either, past the idea of constellations playing havoc in the night sky.

Time to figure out. Barbara rapped her knuckles on the window. She grinned, ducking down to work on the latch.

"See if they coded in a no rappelling clause too...!"

[saisamour]

Suffice to say, getting his wrist stuck in a fuzzy pink handcuff was far from Marius's list of potentially embarrassing dream occurrences.

Even after Cosette had persuaded him to join her, an infinitesimal hint of reservation still remained as he trembled under the pierce of the needle and eventually succumbed to the world of the dreaming. When he awakened, he was alone in the grandiose bedroom with the extravagant meal prepared, and clearly not only for him.

As he waited, he considered exploring the rest of the room, at which he found the dresser. It swung open with a creak under his hand's ushering. His curious expression hastily turned into that of forehead-creasing confusion as he eyed the contents (his eyes had been drawn to the strange items hanging on one side of the dresser, thus completely overlooking the lingerie) and his fingers brushed across the soft, fuzzy material of a shackle-like object. His brows drew together even more as he took it off its hook so that he could further inspect it in his hands.

And when the sudden feeling that came along with a new presence shook him, he made a sharp jump. Somehow, in the process he had tossed the pink shackles so that the cuff landed on his wrist, and when he attempted to pry it loose, the his shaking hand instead clasped it tight and locked it.

He could only make a strangled cry as his entire face burned from embarrassment.

Velma Kelly | OTA

[hotelcicero]

Red wine had been her first prize for the evening. A goblet of the stuff sat on top of the dresser as Velma, amused smirk in place, began rifling through the offered articles of clothing. Silk, satin, lace. All the basics of a Capitol outfit, and everything she would have never gotten her hands on back in district 8. She tossed a particularly cleverly stitched black and red number on the bed, chuckling landed on the pillows. Then pulled out another for closer inspection, holding it up to the light and, incidentally, hiding everything but her eyes from the people in the room as she turned towards them.

"Now we're really talking about a show."