It was a rainbow coalition of dancing [OPEN]

[69problems]

Who: Signless and YOU!
What: Meeting new friends, keeping up with old ones, and attempts at being a Good Tribute.
Where: D12 Lounge, Main Lounge, Training Center
When: All this week -- it's a timey-wimey catchall.
Warnings: None -- will update if it changes.

[Different scenarios in the comments below! Respond to the one you'd like.]

Comments

[69problems]

"I think it's mostly just an amusing coincidence. It's good to hear that I'm making a good impression on behalf of my species so far, though." He takes Albert's hand and shakes warmly.

"You can call me the Signless. Have you been here long?"

[silberfuchs]

Signless' sense of humor is refreshingly like his own after the cavalcade of ill taste being broadcast on the airwaves day and night and the wry comment about the troll's species bring a more honest grin to Albert's face despite the topic broached. "Not very. I was... what did she call it... reaped? During the last arena."

Sadly his good mood is short lived, but for the fading grin there's no other real sign. He's got to keep up appearances, or so he's told, and all the tributes are in the same boat. "It was a shock, to say the least. And you?"

[69problems]

"This last one was my fourth. Fourth of many, probably, unless they eventually choose not to bring me back. I'm not really the kind of person who's built for winning death matches." His expression doesn't falter -- he's been here long enough to say that sort of thing as though he were commenting on the weather. Some small part of him knows he should be bothered by that, but that same part of him knows it's better not to show it.

[silberfuchs]

"They seem to enjoy pulling those who you wouldn't think would do well." It's a regrettably human trait to push others to the full end of their endurance both physically and mentally in order to see how they either overcome or crumble. It's why reality TV even exists in the time he last remembers before everything went to hell. He hates to think this is just the logical progression in the evolution of human entertainment. It seems more a regression to Albert; they've gone back to models of the Roman arena, where the only way to win your freedom is to prove you can defend it.

"Frankly I think we're better served as a group by those who are not 'built' for this."

[69problems]

Of course, the concept of those in power delighting in using the disenfranchised as playthings and holding the threat of harm over them if they don't quiet comply is nothing new to the Signless. Coming here was less of a terrible shock and more of moving from the Alternian Empire to the Alternian Empire: Human Edition.

"The issue is that in arenas, causing harm or promoting divisiveness is a good way to be entertaining, and being entertaining is a good guarantee of safety here. Much as I'd like all of the tributes to be able to support each other or at the very least be civil outside of the arena, I can't judge anyone for trying to stay alive within it. And if that means I'm more likely to be gruesomely killed, in the long run, that's good for me too. An attention-grabbing death is better than nothing."

It's sad that that's become his way of coping with the situation he's in. But it's much easier to accept that within the arena there are different rules and that death means something fundamentally different when one is a tribute than it is to fall into a crisis. He's already tried that. It was awful, he's not going to do it again.

[silberfuchs]

"That's entirely true, and there are fundamental difficulties inherent in effecting large-scale change when those needed to set it in motion are indoctrinated into such a system. Even though all of the tributes, to my knowledge, are from other worlds, the mentors are not, nor are the stylists and the escorts, and we would all need to be of one mind to truly make a difference." Not strictly true. There are many ways to start a rebellion and not all of them require cooperation, but Albert's new and he's still feeling things out, and better that they be heard saying it's impossible than actually planning anything at all.

"Still, for me, I'd rather befriend those who don't enjoy said harm and divisiveness." He smiles a bit at Signless.

[69problems]

The Signless doesn't comment on the talk of rebellion -- he can't, it's too risky, and he promised he'd be as careful as he possibly could. Still, it's good to know that there's even just one more person who recognizes how wrong what's happening here is and who wants to work toward something better, even if fighting isn't exactly safe or possible currently.

"It definitely is reassuring to know that the person who's your friend outside of the arena won't stop being your friend once it starts." Hopefully.

"What District have you been sorted into? I'm all the way up in Twelve."

[silberfuchs]

Risky as it is, Albert doesn't quite care for his own safety the way he should right now, but he understands the hesitance in others and won't push the issue. "It is. I don't hold that many would believe that, but I don't plan on killing if I don't have to." Entertainment be damned.

"I'm on Three, though I spend little time there. Some of the others are a little... hedonistic for my comfort." More it's because his partner was sorted to Two and he'd rather spend his time there, but one generally doesn't discuss their romantic relationships with veritable strangers.

[69problems]

Oh, that's good. Gossip is a much safer topic of conversation than dancing around potential rebellion. He searches his memory for the District Three tributes he knows. Terezi, Cuthbert (neither of them can be entirely easy to live with). Marius, who's inoffensive to the point of it being painful. Others he's seen in recaps or in passing but never really got to know. Hm.

"Hedonistic how?"

[silberfuchs]

"One mentor sleeps until the day's almost done already and one of the tributes I've met is more preoccupied with himself than anything else. I find it grating. The others, though, I haven't met yet and only know names and faces from television and other things."

He's curious if Terezi has any connection with the Troll he's currently speaking with, but it would be rude to assume that they knew each other simply out of both being of the same race, so he won't ask.

[69problems]

That's probably a good decision. The Signless has a connection with Terezi, certainly, but it's a complicated and sometimes-painful one and he wouldn't be sure how to describe it to someone he doesn't know all that well.

"I'm sure there's at least one you'll be able to enjoy the company of. And you're not at all required to keep within your district -- I spend a lot of my time on other floors, One and Seven particularly."

[silberfuchs]

"That's good to hear. I wouldn't want to get my friend into trouble by being an unwelcome house guest." Not that he would stop spending nights on Two with Jet, he would just have to be more careful about it.

"I take it you have friends on One and Seven?"